The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office was notified today at approximately 12:52 p.m. to respond to 5010 Hunter Road on a suspicious package.

Deputies were called to The Market convenience store by the owner who stated a customer found a suspicious package propped against one of the gas pumps. The area around the convenience store was secured and traffic was diverted to protect the public while using all safety precautions. The Chattanooga Police Department Bomb Squad was requested to respond to the scene who used their specialized equipment to remove the package to a safe area for disposal. When this was done the package was found to be empty.

Due to the large area secured for public safety, officers with the Chattanooga Police Department as well as Tri Community Volunteer Fire Department, Chattanooga Fire Department, Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services were on the scene to assist the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.