Suspicious white powder found in Capital One mailroom in Chester

A suspicious white power discovered by a Capital One worker inside the company's facility at 12730 Kingston Ave. in Chester caused some tense moments this afternoon but no one was hurt.

A mailroom employee discovered the powdery substance in an envelope and company officials quickly called police and fire at 1:20 p.m. As a precaution, an undetermined number of mailroom employees were evacuated to the parking lot, said Chesterfield Police Lt. Doug Mooney.

"Exposure was very limited" and no one complained of any injuries or sickness, Mooney said. No one was quarantined.

The fire department's hazardous material team entered the building to evaluate and retrieve the substance, which was sealed in a package and turned over to police. The substance will be taken to the state lab for identification, Mooney said.

The company's outgoing shift has been discharged for the day. "The building will be opened back up very quickly," Mooney said.

-- Mark Bowes