Suspicious package at Marion Square turns out to be sound equipment

MARION - A suspicious package report in Marion that sparked a call to the bomb squad was apparently just a piece of equipment left behind after a politically rally the day before.

Marion Police got a call about a suspicious package seen underneath the caboose in Marion's City Square Park along Seventh Avenue. That was just after 8 a.m. Friday.

The Linn County bomb square responded and within 20 minutes determined the package was no threat.

Marion police discovered it was actually a piece of some audio equipment left after the political rally with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Iowa Governor Terry Branstad Thursday afternoon. That rally took place outside a restaurant across the street from the park caboose.

One police commander said some wires dangling from the package initially made it appear suspicious. Some Marion streets were blocked for about an hour and a half while the officers investigated the package.