OSKALOOSA – A substance found at a bank in Oskaloosa yesterday turned out to be a hoax, and the person who reported it now faces a criminal charge.

The Oskaloosa Police Department reports that yesterday morning, officers and regional partners responded to the report of the suspicious substance at the MidWest One Motor Bank at 222 1st Ave E. Out of an abundance of caution, the area was secured, and officers requested a hazardous-materials response.

The involved employee was interviewed by investigators shortly after the incident occurred, and during the investigation, the employee who initially raised the alarm allegedly admitted to fabricating the presence of a hazardous substance. The results of field test assessments later confirmed that there was no hazardous material present and that there was no risk to the public or bank staff.

Authorities then referred potential criminal charges to the Mahaska County Attorney’s Office for review, and as a result of this incident, 26-year-old Angela Nicole Veary of Oskaloosa was charged with making a false report to a public entity.

The Oskaloosa Police Department says that there is no ongoing threat to the public related to this incident and that normal operations at the bank may resume at their discretion. They thanked other responding partners for their rapid and professional assistance, including the Oskaloosa Fire Department, Mahaska County Emergency Management, the Iowa State Patrol, Mahaska Health, the 71st Civil Support Team, Mahaska County 911, and MidWest One staff.