Greeneville police today are continuing an investigation of a Wednesday morning bomb scare at the Wal-Mart Supercenter that caused an evacuation and closure of the store for nearly three hours.

The incident turned out to be a hoax. No explosion occurred and no one was injured, authorities at the scene reported.

A report filed by GPD Capt. David Crum said police were called about 8:45 a.m. after store personnel found a "suspicious item that had been left in front of the store."

The item, according to Crum's report, was a "portfolio-type case" that bore a note that said, "I'm sorry."

"That was it," Crum said.

A remote-controlled robot Adros F6A drone equipped with a remotely operated video camera and robotic arm was used to investigate.

The police report indicated that the person who was believed to have left the case in front of the store was a "white female who had left in a white pickup truck with a camper shell of the type often used by a construction company."

Greeneville police officers, Greene County sheriff's deputies and Tennessee Highway Patrol were told to be on the lookout for the truck, which radio transmissions indicated may have had a Knox County license plate.

Capt. Crum's report said Wal-Mart management decided to evacuate the store as a precaution.

Police quickly sealed off and evacuated about half of the parking lot, nearest the building. What looked like between 50 and 100 store personnel walked to a grassy area between the parking lot and U.S. Highway 11E and remained there most of the morning.

The GPS bomb squad was dispatched, and an ambulance from Greene County/Greeneville Emergency Medical Services and a unit from the Greeneville Fire Department were each asked to stand by. The ambulance and fire truck remained across North Morgan Road during the incident.

The remote-controlled robot camera device was initially used to survey the satchel, lift it, and and to retrieve the note.

After retrieving the note and studying it at the bomb squad trailer, set up 30 to 40 yards from the satchel, Sgt. James Humbert, commander of the bomb squad, suited up in protective gear and used a hand-held x-ray unit to learn more about the contents of the satchel.

When the x-rays showed nothing that might constitute an explosive device, Humbert -- still suited in heavy armor-plated gear -- again walked back to the satchel and opened it, appearing much more relaxed as he did. He carried a stout-looking pair of scissors or shears but did not use them.

Humbert said afterward that the satchel contained "loose junk" and "personal paperwork," but no explosives and no detonator, and no electronics of any kind.

Crum said it was the Wal-Mart management's decision to evacaute the store "to ensure the safety of personnel and customers."

Local store officials referred all comments to Wal-Mart corporate communications in Bentonville, Ark.

Spokesman Phillip Keene provided the following statement: "The safety and security of our customers and associates is always a top priority to us. We take every threat seriously and follow the guidelines of law enforcement in the closure of our facilities."

The Wal-Mart spokesman added: "We were made aware of a possible threat to our customers, associates, and property, and on the advice of the police, the Greeneville Wal-Mart was evacuated at around 8:30 Wednesday morning. The police allowed us to re-open the store at around 11:30 a.m."

He continued, "We are currently working with the police to help in their investigation, and any further comments should come from them."

Crum said GPD detectives began investigating as soon as the area had been cleared by the bomb squad.

Humbert said that perpetrating a bomb hoax is a felony. It is treated, for prosecution purposes, much like an actual bombing. If someone is caught, the charges would likely include "attempted bombing: hoax device," he said.

In addition to criminal prosecution, Crum said, someone found guilty of attempted bombing might also be subject to separate civil litigation, should the store decide to try to recoup some of its expenses and lost revenue.

Wednesday was the second time the Adros robot unit had been used, said Officer Kevin Gass, a member of the bomb squad.

Gass said the unit was used in a standoff last October, when a man barricaded himself in a house on Unaka Street after a domestic assault incident.