'Suspicious' Envelope Sent to Senator's Office Prompts Hazmat Response

A report of a "suspicious" envelope led police, firefighters and the Lehigh County Special Operations Group to Sen. Pat Toomey's Salisbury Township office on Monday afternoon, Salisbury police said.

Authorities who examined a substance on an envelope sent to Toomey's office determined it was not hazardous or harmful, police said.

The building at 1150 S. Cedar Crest Blvd. that houses Toomey's office was not evacuated. 

Police and the Western Salisbury Township Fire Department were dispatched to the office at 12:50 p.m. to investigate the report of the suspicious envelope. As a safety precaution, according to a police release, the area was secured, and when the Lehigh County Special Operations Group arrived, it removed the envelope.

The building was reopened for business at 3 p.m.

According to a release from Toomey's office, the incident also was reported to the U.S. Capitol Police. The Senate Sergeant at Arms office provides congressional staff with training and equipment, including mail containment units, to deal with such circumstances.

"Sen. Toomey appreciates the quick response by the Salisbury Township Police and Lehigh County hazmat unit," the release said.

Toomey's office provided no further comment.