Police: 'Suspicious packages' at Raleigh gas station were medical supplies

Police said the packages were found at several of the gas pumps at the store on Capital Boulevard and Thornton Road.  An employee threw at least one package in a trash bin, then called 911 out of concern.

The items turned out to be unused medical supplies.

"They just appear to be some medical supplies that were left there for reasons that we don't really understand at this point," Raleigh police spokesman Jim Sughrue said.

Still, authorities reacted out of caution until they determined there was no threat, he said. Traffic was blocked, and customers were kept inside the store until police gave the all clear about 1:20 p.m.

"What you saw were a lot of precautions being taken," Sughrue said. "The safety of everyone was considered."

Customer Kevin Powell said he was inside with 30 to 35 other customers, and employees offered them free food while they waited.

"We've been here since about 11 a.m.," he said. "I just pulled in to get gas, left the pump running and went inside. I wasn't able to go back outside."

Powell said he and the other customers weren't panicked as they waited for police to tell them they could go.