Chihuahua has role in C. Islip bomb scare

A combination of a long bus ride, a tiny Chihuahua, an abandoned backpack, and an observant citizen led to a bomb scare Friday at the court complex in Central Islip.

A Bellport teen, who didn't want to take into court his wet backpack on which the Chihuahua had relieved itself, left it in the median bushes between the Suffolk District Court and the federal courthouse.

A passing retired police officer, however, noticed what he thought was a suspicious package at 10:38 a.m., and told federal court security, which called federal law enforcement officials, according to Saul Roond, a supervisor with the Federal Protective Service Police.

Suffolk police and a bomb squad robot determined that the package was a harmless backpack that contained clothing and Melvin Ruffin's court papers, Roond said.

Ruffin, 19, who was going to court to answer a disorderly conduct citation, told police he had taken three buses to get from his home to the courthouse. On one of the buses the Chihuahua, belonging to a woman passenger, had dampened the backpack.

Ruffin, who was not charged, said authorities told him: "Next time be more careful where you leave your backpack."