Box in holiday wrapping prompts Anchorage federal building evacuation

A suspicious package that triggered an evacuation Thursday morning at the federal building in Anchorage was a package in holiday wrapping, police said.

"This has been determined to be an isolated incident and there is not any ongoing public threat," Anchorage Police Department spokeswoman Kendra Doshier said in an email.

The 12- by 12-inch box was found in the cafeteria, according to the U.S. Marshals Service in Anchorage. The eastern portion of the building was evacuated "out of an abundance of caution," said John Lajeunesse, a supervisor with the marshals service.

The Federal Protective Service has jurisdiction over the building, but the marshals initially dealt with a person involved with the package, Lajeunesse said.

No information was available Thursday about that person's identity.

Anchorage police officers provided assistance, Doshier said. Patrol cars could be seen blocking side streets Thursday morning.

Federal entities made the decision to evacuate the premises.

Law enforcement responded to the suspicious package and allowed employees and visitors to return to the building as soon as law enforcement determined it was safe, U.S. Attorney's Office spokeswoman Chloe Martin said.

No federal crime occurred, Martin said.