Police: Powder at DuPage courthouse not toxic

A mail clerk at the DuPage County courthouse in Wheaton was taken to a hospital as a precaution Tuesday after he opened a letter containing an unknown powdery substance, police said.

The substance, which preliminary lab tests revealed was not dangerous, arrived with correspondence about 7:30 a.m., according to the sheriff’s office.

Police said courthouse deputies secured the mailroom and alerted the Wheaton Fire Department, which responded with the sheriff’s hazardous materials team and the FBI.

The Illinois Department of Public Health Lab analyzed the suspicious substance and confirmed there was no toxic substances present, according to the sheriff’s office.

Sheriff’s spokeswoman Dawn Domrose said detectives have identified a suspect in the case who already was in the custody of U.S. Marshals outside of the immediate area. Further details weren’t available.

Police said the clerk was taken to Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield for precautionary screening. Officials did not disclose the contents of the letter but said it made no reference to the substance.