A suspicious locked metal box found in the swale on the Kenmore Drive side of the Space Coast Credit Union, 700 S. Royal Poinciana Blvd., brought out the bomb squad on Thursday, Feb. 21.

The incident began around 1:30 p.m. when a credit union employee happened upon the abandoned black, briefcase-size box and notified security. Miami Springs Police were called to investigate and the Miami-Dade County Bomb Unit was notified.

Acting on the side of caution, police blocked off South Royal Poinciana Boulevard from Oakwood Drive to Sheridan Drive, all traffic was diverted from the credit union and employees were kept inside the building.

Six Miami-Dade County fire units converged on the area as police and fire personnel stayed a half block away from the mysterious box.

Bomb squad personnel first sent a camera-equipped robot to inspect the box, which was upright on the sidewalk near a concrete power pole. The box was then checked out by a bomb squad member wearing a special padded outfit (left) and helmet. He used a portable remote-controlled X-ray unit to try to see what was inside the metal case.

After much consultation, the robot was used to move the case against the concrete pole and a water canon affixed to the robot blasted open the box with one shot. The robot took another look and then law enforcement officers were allowed to approach the scene.

Lying on the ground next to the empty box was a booklet with instructions on how to open the combination lock.