Suspicious package at local naval base determined to be safe

A suspicious package found at an entrance to Naval Base Ventura County Port Hueneme on Friday was found to be benign, according to spokeswoman Theresa Miller.

Around noon, a threatening person approached Navy guards at the Pleasant Valley Road entrance to the naval base, authorities said. A K-9 unit that responded to the scene detected possible explosive materials inside the person’s backpack, leading to an evacuation of the area and closure of the Pleasant Valley Road gate, according to officials.

Bomb technicians from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, as well as Port Hueneme police officers and crews from the Ventura County Fire Department responded to aid the naval officers at the scene. By 3 p.m., the package was determined to be safe and authorities began clearing the scene. The evacuation order was lifted once authorities left the scene, officials said.

The threatening person was cited and turned over to local law enforcement, according to Miller.