Suspicious bags prompt closure of Columbia River bridge

LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) – Authorities on Monday afternoon reopened a bridge between Longview, Washington and Rainier, Oregon, that had been shut down for hours because of reports of suspicious backpacks hanging from the span on the Oregon side.

Oregon State Police say authorities responded at about 10:20 a.m. Monday to reports of a man lowering backpacks (which turned out to be bags) from the Lewis & Clark bridge over the Columbia River.

Police say the OSP Bomb Unit deployed a robot which was used to X-ray the bags, but the results were inconclusive. The team then used a high -pressure water cannon mounted on the robot to reveal the contents. Police say the bags contained only clothing and miscellaneous personal property.

Police say 61-year-old Samuel Owen of Rainier was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct. Police say the incident was related to a dispute between Owen and another person.