What to Know
- Federal and local authorities are investigating multiple cases of letters containing white powder that were mailed to facilities in CT.
- The substance that prompted investigations into four white powder incidents in Hartford last week was baby powder.
- A man is being questioned in connection with these incidents and remains in custody on unrelated charges.
Emergency crews responded after a letter containing a powdery substance was delivered to a local synagogue Wednesday and police believe it may be connected to a series of white powder scares in other Connecticut cities last week.
Middletown police and fire were called to the Adath Israel Synagogue on Broad Street for a letter with some kind of powder substance. More details were not immediately released.
The FBI has taken over the investigation.
The FBI, USPS, US Marshals Service, Connecticut State Police and local departments are investigating multiple incidents of letters containing white powder delivered to both government and non-government organizations last week. At least four of those incidents were in Hartford.
Last week the US Attorney’s Office confirmed that investigators seized unmailed letters and stopped some letters from reaching the recipients, but also warned that letters were continuing to arrive at new locations.
Connecticut State Police said that no one who had contact with any of the white powder suffered any illness or injury. Anyone who receives a suspicious package is encouraged to call 911.
The U.S. Attorney's Office said 51-year-old Gary Gravelle, of New Haven, is being questioned in connection with these incidents. Gravelle was arrested on a supervised release violation unrelated to this case and is in custody. Officials said no charges have been filed in connection with the white powder incidents.
Gravelle is known to federal authorities. In 2013, he was sentenced in Bridgeport federal court to 70 months in prison for mailing threatening letters and he was released from federal prison in November 2015.
