Suspicious materials outside courthouse were likely a Santeria hex, authorities say
A investigation by the Rockland County sheriff’s department has determined that suspicious items found outside a New City, New York, courthouse a little over a week ago were not part of a bomb.
But authorities said the materials that brought out the bomb squad likely were part of a Santeria hex intended to cause fear and alarm, according to the Clarkstown Daily Voice and the Rockland County Times.
“Initially it was thought to be an explosive device. After further examination, it seemed to be items that would be consistent with ingredients from some type of a Santeria ritual artifacts,” said sheriff’s patrol chief William Barbera in a written statement.
“If these items were out in a field or a park, it would not have raised the same level of suspicion or threat. Finding them at such a prominent public building as the county courthouse was alarming.”
However, the incident caused little disruption because court was not in session at the time.
While it is not known exactly what suspicious materials were involved in the display near a courthouse bench, the Times article has a photo of what the weekly newspaper describes as a subsequent copycat incident in the same location a few days later.
Those materials included half a coconut, egg, dirt and white pushpins.
Security consultant Tony Mele tells the Times such “hex” items are sometimes placed at courthouses in an effort to gain an advantage over a lawyer, judge or witness in an ongoing case.
The sheriff’s office is asking that anyone with information about the displays contact authorities.
See also:
ABAJournal.com: “Animal remains outside courthouse may be intended to seek favor with spirits, priestess says”
