UPDATE 12:46 p.m: York-Poquson Sheriff’s Office has provided an update on the incident.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, once deputies arrived on scene and secured a perimeter, the investigation began. The deputies quickly located the individual matching the suspect’s description. The individual was taken into custody.
Newport News Bomb Squad was asked to respond to investigate the suspicious package and eventually deemed that it was not an explosive device.
There were no injuries during the event, however a local elementary school was placed on secure status, nearby businesses were evacuated, and the public was asked to avoid the area as the investigation proceeded.
The incident remains under investigation by the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office.
WILLIAMSBURG— At 9 a.m. on March 26, York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for service at James-York Plaza to a reported suspicious package.
Mutual aid was provided by Newport News Bomb Squad, York County Fire and Life Safety, the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office mobile command center, Williamsburg Fire Department, Newport News Fire Department, and local fire marshal offices.
According to a business owner in the Plaza, police told him to lock up his store and move outside of the area until further notice.
Shorty’s Diner, which also has a location in the Plaza, shared the following update on Facebook.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the prompt and professional response from our local emergency personnel this morning—your quick action and support mean everything to us and our team’s safety. It’s certainly been quite the morning, but we’re looking forward to reopening tomorrow and getting back to what we love most—serving our amazing community,” Shorty’s ownership said.
Affected businesses include Catalillies Play Cafe, Tobacco and Vape Shop, Boost Mobile, Food Lion, Technology Zone, Lotus Massage, Bushin Academy, Dollar Tree, Parker and Peony Boutique, Williamsburg Floral, Subway, Column 15, Dominion Dogs, Colonial Iron Gym, Swirl, ABC store, Antonio’s restaurant, Rent A Center, and Metro by T Mobile.
Police have said that the plaza will be closed until further notice.
This is a developing story and will be updated once more information is available.