News-Argus/STEVE HERRING

A small black briefcase left next to a gas line outside a check cashing business prompted the evacuation of stores along Ash Street late this morning -- and a response from the 4th Fighter Wing Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight. Members of the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base unit were mobilized at 10 a.m. after local law enforcement officials feared a bomb had been placed in front of the shop. But after nearly an hour of investigation -- first by a robot used by the airmen to dispose of explosives at home and abroad; then by a member of the unit -- the briefcase was opened and found to contain no harmful material.