Greenfields and Mount Pleasant Fire Companies were disptached to stand by while the Bern Township Police and Reading Police Bomb Squad investigated a suspicious package along Route 183 near Werleys Garage.

A mail vehicle was tavelling north on Route 183 when the driver of the vehicle noticed a strange odor emiitting from one of the packages on board. The driver stopped, removed the package from the mail vehicle and called authorities.

Postal Inspectors, Police and Bomb Squad personnel responded to the scene and determined the package to be suspicious. Safety pre-cautions were taken as Bomb Squad technicians used a robot to neutralize the package.

Fire apparatus stood by on the parking lot at T&C's Market approximately one half mile away. Fire Police closed Route 183 in both directions between West Leesport Road and Palisades Drive.

Bernville Fire Police also assisted.

The package was delcared stabilized at approximately 17:00 hours and the highway was re-opened.

The package apparently contained a small amount of a black powder and other suspicious devices. Police and postal officials are investigating.