The Federal Bureau of Investigation is looking into eight threatening letters addressed to Home Depot stores in suburban Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
An additional five letters were addressed to the window company Renewal by Andersen. All 13 letters contained a white powder, which in 12 of the letters was identified as sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda. An analysis is still being conducted on the substance in the last letter received.
The FBI's Minneapolis office has the letters, and said in a statement that each letter is identical and appears to have been photocopied. The return address on each letter is identical as well.
The first letter was received Dec. 31 and the most recent letter arrived Jan. 6.
Home Depot referred inquiries on the letters to the FBI.
FBI spokesman Kyle Loven said the investigation into the letters was ongoing.
"We're not in a position at this time to make any further comments," he said.
The Home Depot stores receiving the letters are located in Hudson, Wis.; and Inver Grove Heights, Eagan, Maplewood, Apple Valley, Forest Lake, Hastings and Woodbury, Minn. The Renewal By Andersen businesses receiving the letters are in Edina, Burnsville, Roseville, Bayport and Cottage Grove, Minn.
Sending letters that use or threaten to use a weapon of mass destruction -- such as a hazardous material -- is a federal offense, the FBI's statement said.
In addition to the FBI, the U.S. Postal Investigation Service, the Minnesota National Guard 55th Civil Support Team, the Minnesota Department of Health, and local law enforcement agencies from the cities where the letters were received are investigating the letters.
The FBI asks anyone with information about the letters to call 612-376-3200.
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