CHASE BANK LETTERS

On Wednesday, October 22, 2008, United States Postal Inspection Service, FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, Phoenix Police Department, Department of Public Safety, Mesa Police Department, Gilbert Police Department, and Hazard Materials Response Teams from Phoenix, Mesa, and Glendale responded to nine Chase Banks involving a series of threat letters containing a powder substance. In addition, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health assisted in this matter. This multi-agency response was coordinated through the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center.

The powder substance was collected and sent to the Arizona Bio-Terrorism Laboratory at the Arizona Department of Health Services. Lab results were negative for hazardous materials.

The Arizona investigation is a part of a nationwide effort to identify the person or persons responsible for these letters being sent to financial institutions throughout the United States. Sending even a hoax letter is a serious crime. If you have information about any of these incidents, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALLFBI or the United States Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455. Please, refer to the FBI’s web site at www.fbi.gov., regarding the latest information pertaining to the investigation. As this is an ongoing matter, we cannot discuss any further details.

Media inquiries may be directed to Postal Inspector, Patricia Armstrong, (602) 223-3269 or FBI Special Agent, Manuel Johnson, (602) 650-3201.

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