Suspicious Package in Mandeville Turns Out To Be Chess Set

MANDEVILLE, LA (WGNO) – Mandeville police spent Saturday afternoon investigating a suspicious package found at the front door of a home on Devon Drive.  According to Chief Rick Richard, a former IRS employee lives in the home.

Police blocked roads and evacuated nearby homes while Mandeville’s bomb squad investigated.

According to police, an initial x-ray of the box revealed what appeared to be all the elements needed for a pipe bomb.  They used a robot to blast the box with a water cannon.

Once investigators could get a close look at the box, they found out it was a chess set.  They say the intricate pieces looked just like parts found in pipe bombs.

Around 5:00, the streets were cleared and people were allowed to resume their Saturday plans.