The suspicious device found Friday morning on the grounds of First Presbyterian Church in Las Cruces has been rendered safe while a team of local, state and federal investigators looks into its origin.
The Dona Ana County Bomb Squad rendered the device safe at around 11:30 a.m. A portion of Boutz Road between El Paseo Road and south Main Street remains closed while the investigation continues and K-9 teams conduct a protective sweep of the area.
The shelter in place for Las Cruces High School and a couple of area daycare center was lifted sometime after 12 p.m.
Shortly before 9:30 a.m., a groundskeeper at the church, at 200 E. Boutz Rd., located a suspicious device and promptly called 911. Las Cruces Police arrived and closed Boutz Road and evacuated persons within close proximity to the church.
No injuries were reported.
A portion of Boutz Road near the church will remain closed for now so police are asking the public to avoid the area at this time.
