A suspicious device found inside a delinquent self-storage unit at Advanced Mini Storage in Zachary, La., was successfully detonated by bomb squads on Saturday and will be further analyzed by investigators. The facility owner found the device in a briefcase after cutting the lock on the unit. He is now working with police to track down the unit renter, who has not visited the facility since July, according to the source.   

Bomb squads from the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office and the Baton Rouge Police Department were called in to investigate. Two robots successfully removed the device from the storage unit, said Zachary Police Chief David McDavid, who indicated the device was "of concern." McDavid also told the source the device could have been a police-training tool, since other police gear was found in the same storage unit.

In response to the potential threat, officers shut down Highway 19, about a half mile north of Pride-Port Hudson Road, around 3 p.m. Ten to 15 nearby homes were also evacuated out of caution, McBride told the source. The highway was reopened to traffic at about 8:30 p.m.

Advanced Mini Storage LLC operates two self-storage locations, both on Highway 19 in Zachary. It was not clear from the source which of the two facilities contained the worrisome device.

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