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Suspect In Fake Bomb Incident Released
Arizona Capitol Reports Staff//May 27, 2005//[read_meter]
A 32-year-old homeless woman turned herself in to authorities May 23 in connection with the planting of a package marked “bomb” near the state Senate building May 16.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office was considering filing at least three misdemeanor charges and one felony count against Maria Cruz, police said.
The possible felony charge involves a new law regarding hoaxes and terrorism.
The suspicious package was left near a tree about 100 feet from the southeast corner of the Senate building. A Department of Public Safety bomb robot examined the package, and authorities then rendered it safe after firing water into it.
Senate, House and Department of Economic Security buildings were evacuated. Adams and Washington streets in the vicinity were shut down, as was 17th Avenue.
DPS detectives said evidence at the scene linked the package to Ms. Cruz. She was released from custody on her own recognizance. —
