THREE homes were evacuated in Theodore last night after a man found a ‘pipe-bomb’ near his mail box.

The Tewksbury Circuit resident found the suspicious package just after 5pm yesterday and alerted police, who cordoned off the area and called the Specialist Response Group Bomb Response Team.

The Bomb Response Team took the package to a controlled location where it was rendered safe. The device will now be subject to a forensic examination.

The residents who were evacuated were allowed to return home about 9pm.

Acting Superintendent Darren Rath thanked residents for their cooperation and understanding.

“The actions of the home owners are to be commended for contacting police and identifying the package as potentially dangerous,” Acting Superintendent Rath said.