LOS ANGELES, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Los Angeles Central Mail facility near Downtown Los Angeles is being evacuated Wednesday afternoon following the discovery of a suspicious package, said local authorities.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is investigating the case at the facility.
"While we determine its contents and origins the facility is being evacuated," said LAPD in a statement.
"We are working closely with our federal law enforcement partners given the number of suspicious devices discovered across the nation," added the statement.
The facility was evacuated following the discovery of the suspicious package around 2 p.m. local time (2100 GMT), which was addressed to U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters.
LAPD and federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are on the scene investigating the package, leading local news outlet Los Angeles Times reported.
Officials plan to deploy a robot to examine the package, law enforcement sources told Los Angeles Times.
It would be the second suspicious item addressed to Waters found on Wednesday if it was confirmed.
Waters confirmed earlier Wednesday that a suspicious letter with her name on it was intercepted at a congressional mail-sorting facility in Maryland.
On a day of heightened tensions sparked by a series of suspicious packages, the Los Angeles Times building was also briefly evacuated Wednesday noon after police received a report of founding some suspicious packages, which was later proved not to be a threat of bomb.
"No one in America should be threatened with violence because of their profession or politics," tweeted Eric Garcetti, the mayor of City of Los Angeles, adding that he has been in regular touch with LAPD Chief Michel Moore to ensure that "we are closely monitoring any suspicious packages or activity."
"L.A. stands ready to assist any agency that may need help," the mayor noted.
