x
Breaking News
More () »

‘Suspicious package’ at Tom Reed’s office ends up being stocking of coal

When Olean Police Capt. Mike Marsfelder responded to a report of a suspicious package, he ended up cutting open a stocking full of Kingsford charcoal.
Republican Representative Tom Reed

OLEAN, NY — U.S. Rep. Tom Reed apparently shouldn't be on Santa's nice list this Christmas, that's according to one person who decided to leave the congressman a stocking full of coal on Thursday.

Olean Police have confirmed an Olean Times Herald report that the department received a call at 3:18 p.m. of a suspicious package at the door of Reed's office on Laurens Street. The report said that a note was attached to a red stocking that appeared to criticize the Republican congressman for voting for the GOP's tax bill.

According to a police report the Times Herald obtained, the note attached to the stocking read, “To the Grinch who voted 13 million to lose their health care, including kids. Bankruptcy and death to constituents.”

Olean Police Capt. Mike Marsfelder responded to the scene and cut open the stocking to find it full of Kingsford charcoal.

“With a little bit of investigation, (we) determined it was a bag of charcoal. That was it,” Marsfelder told the newspaper.

Samantha Cotten, a spokesperson for Reed, told the Times Herald that Reed and his staff were unaware of the incident until after the fact.

“It was someone who was unpleasant with a vote or position, and just voiced their opinion in that matter,” Marsfelder said. “Not the greatest or the nicest thing to do, but not a crime.”

Before You Leave, Check This Out