Suspicious Packages Discovered, Two Arrested

Two suspicious packages found on the grounds of Jacksonville International Airport (KJAX) in northeast Florida caused the airport to be closed for several hours Tuesday, leading to flight delays and cancellations. Two people have been arrested in connection with the bomb scare.

The New York Times reports that the packages were found in the airport terminal and the parking garage. One reportedly contained a device that was removed and "rendered safe" by authorities. Authorities would only say that it had a "destructive nature."

According to the local Jacksonville media including the Florida Times-Union, two people ... one a Jacksonville resident ... was arrested in connection with the incident.

The suspect has been identified as Zeljko Causevic. He has been charged with having a fake bomb. NBC News reports he told authorities that the "device" was actually a luggage scale with two batteries and a microchip.

The other man was Manuel Rivera of Rockford, IL. He did not appear to have any connection with Causevic. He was charged with resisting arrest.

A source told NBC news that Causevic is "known to counterterrorism officials.

Law enforcement officials said that the incident began about 6:30 EDT Tuesday when someone in a security line said he had a bomb. That led to the evacuation of the building, and delays and cancellations of both inbound and outbound flights.

Some of those delays continued into Wednesday afternoon.

(Zeljko Causevic pictured in Jacksonville Sheriff's Office mug shot)

FMI: www.flyjacksonville.com