Chase banks in Oklahoma -- including one in Norman -- were back to business as usual Tuesday, after receiving threatening letters containing a powder substance the day before.
Meanwhile, more threatening letters containing the powder were received Tuesday at nine banks in New Jersey and a credit card center in Illinois, officials said.
In all, about 30 letters containing the suspicious powder have been mailed to Chase banks in seven cities around the country.
An FBI spokesman said preliminary assessments have determined the powder to be harmless. FBI spokesman Gary Johnson said although field tests have been negative, "additional testing will be conducted."
All the Chase branches in Oklahoma are open today and conducting "business as usual," JP Morgan Chase spokesman Greg Hassell said Tuesday.
"We've received suspicious mail in another nine locations in New Jersey and two at a credit card center in Elgin, Ill.," Hassell said. Elgin is about 30 miles northwest of Chicago.
The Chase bank at 3600 W. Robinson St. was closed late Monday morning after an employee opened a piece of mail threatening the release of a hazardous material.
Officials said eight notes were sent to Chase branches in the Oklahoma City metro area -- four in Oklahoma City, one in Norman, one in Edmond and one in Yukon. One of the letters was intercepted by the postal service, officials said.
Although many of the letters "have contained a white powder," Hassell said it's "important to point out that all the suspicious mail that's been tested has turned out to be harmless."
Hassell said the "threatening letters have similarities," but that he's not familiar with the contents of all the letters.
Johnson said the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and state and local authorities are investigating the letters.
Johnson warned that "even sending a hoax letter is a serious crime."
"Anyone with information is requested to contact the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and state and local authorities," he said.
Anyone with information can "also go to www.fbi.gov to submit a tip," Johnson said.
"As the investigation is an ongoing matter, we cannot discuss further matters at this time," he said.
A law enforcement official said the letters were mailed to Chase bank branches in or near Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Newark, N.J., New York, Oklahoma City and Washington. The letters all appear to be from the same source and were sent from South Texas, officials said. Postal inspectors say the letters appear to be related.
No injuries were reported. Neither the local Postal Service nor the FBI has released the text of the letters or their origin.
Norman Police Capt. Leonard Judy said the letter was reported to police at 11:18 a.m. Monday. At least 10 bank employees who had come into close proximity to the envelope were decontaminated at the scene by Norman Fire Department personnel and subsequently released. Judy said no hazardous substance came out of the letter and there was no smell.
"One bank employee was transported by EMSStat to Norman Regional Hospital as a precaution after she complained of discomfort not known to have been connected with the envelope or its contents," Judy said.
Tom Blakey 366-3540 tblakey@normantranscript.com
Local news
Chase banks reopen
More threatening letters hit banks in New Jersey
- Local news
-
-
Veterans, community remember the fallen
Wesley Carroll lives on, but countless numbers of his friends and family have been laid to rest after their service in conflicts dating as far back as the 18th century....
-
Deputies arrest 10
Cleveland County sheriff’s deputies made 10 arrests in a Saturday night and early Sunday morning saturation patrol....
-
Troopers release name in Thunderbird drowning
Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers have released the deceased’s name in a weekend drowning at Lake Thunderbird....
-
Holiday fun
Sunday wasn’t just another church night at Harvest Church. The church’s pre-Memorial Day fellowship event featured a monster truck show, bike stunts and fireworks, among other things....
-
Volunteers clean up Bishop Creek
Norman’s Bishop Creek is home to a lot more than frogs, turtles and water skimmers, a group of volunteers say....
-
More travelers to hit the road this Memorial Day
NEW YORK — More Americans will hit the road this holiday weekend than a year ago. And they’ll have a bit more money to spend thanks to lower gas prices....
-
OBA names officers
TULSA — Brad Swickey, president and CEO of Valliance Bank in Oklahoma City, was inducted as chairman of the Oklahoma Bankers Association at the OBA’s 115th Leadership Forum and Annual Convention, held May 14 and 15 at the Renaissance Hotel ...
-
Rig count down by 3 to 1,983
HOUSTON — The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. is down three this week to 1,983....
-
Cornerstone Metals Recycling opens in Norman
Cornerstone Metals Recycling has officially opened a recycling facility in Norman at 2350 Industrial Blvd. The facility will provide easy access drive-through for recyclers in the Norman area including South Oklahoma City, Moore and Pauls ...
-
Agriculture Department spurring exports
International Market Development Coordinator Barbara Charlet is constantly finding new ways to introduce Oklahoma’s agricultural products to foreign markets. With 18 years of experience in the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and ...
- More Local news Headlines
-
