200 Evacuated in Bomb Scare at County Government Center

An early morning bomb scare prompted the evacuation of more than 200 people Monday from the courthouse at the County Government Center in Ventura, authorities said.

Detectives later arrested a 31-year-old Santa Barbara man in connection with the suspicious-looking package that was left at the front desk of the Hall of Justice at about 7:30 a.m.

James R. Lipking was placed under 72-hour observation in the Ventura County Mental Health Services building, Ventura County Sheriff’s Lt. David Tennessen said.

The unmarked package, about the size of a telephone book, contained batteries, a vial and a container of talcum powder, Detective Kevin Marple said. It was not an explosive device, he said.

Lipking was arrested at his Santa Barbara home Monday afternoon, based on a description of the suspect provided by court security guards, authorities said. Police said they found no evidence of explosives in his home or car.

Sheriff’s investigators who interviewed Lipking concluded that he did not intend for the package to be taken as a bomb. Tennessen said no charges would be filed.

The bomb scare began Monday morning when a man approached lobby security guards and handed them a crudely wrapped package.

When the guards asked for identification, the man showed his driver’s license but abruptly withdrew it and fled. The guards contacted sheriff’s deputies, who cordoned off the area and summoned the bomb-disposal crew. The crew took the package to an explosives range in Camarillo, where it was discovered to be harmless. Three courtrooms were evacuated for about two hours, authorities said.

Times staff writer Sherry Joe contributed to this report.