YIKES!! The mall is only about 500m from the Redcloak Family Compound!!BREAKING News: Telephone Threat Prompts Mall Evacuation; Buckets of Unknown Substance Found
(KFWB) 9.19.02, 9:55a - - The Topanga Plaza Mall in Canoga Park was evacuated after a telephone threat suggested a possible hazardous materials situation. Police confirm buckets of an unknown substance were discovered on the roof of the mall at Victory and Topanga Canyon Boulevard. Officials have not yet determined whether the substance is harmful.KFWB's Steve Lentz reports from the scene that police and fire personnel are taking the threat very seriously. LAPD Sgt. Ken Roth says the caller made reference to chemicals on the roof and said they had access to restrooms and other common areas. Lentz says that after the call was received, mall security personnel found two, five-gallon buckets on the roof. There was smoke rising from the containers.
Jeff Baugh in Jetcopter 980 reports every entrance to the mall has been blocked off. Baugh says there were not many vehicles in the parking lot because stores had not opened their doors to customers when the incident began. However, the mall itself was open to employees and window shoppers. Police say they are keeping people away from the area as a precaution.
The news helos were arriving just as I left for work. I spotted one LAPD Suburban (LAPD Hazmat?) heading over from Ventura Blvd. at the 101.