A suspicious suitcase found at the loading dock of the St. Petersburg Police Department led to an evacuation and the response of the Tampa Bomb Squad Thursday afternoon. Authorities later confirmed the suitcase was empty and arrested a suspect in connection with the incident.
At approximately 2:25 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2025, a police department employee noticed a suspicious vehicle parked near the loading dock and alerted the Watch Commander. During a perimeter check, an officer located a large brown suitcase placed under a Forensics Unit van.
Security video showed a woman arriving in a vehicle, retrieving the suitcase, and entering a restricted area by walking around a wall and under a security barrier. She was later identified as 26-year-old Rebekkah Westermeyer.
As a precaution, the department blocked off the parking garage and evacuated nearby businesses located to the north and east of the building. The Tampa Bomb Squad responded to assess the suitcase, which was ultimately found to be empty.
At 2:49 p.m., police received a report of a person shot at 249 4th Avenue North. Upon arrival, officers encountered a woman matching the description of the earlier suspect. She barricaded herself inside an apartment. A SWAT team responded and safely took her into custody a short time later.
Westermeyer is facing charges of abuse of 911 and manufacture, possession, or threatened use of a hoax weapon of mass destruction.