Updated: Walmart Evacuated as Hazmat Teams Investigate Money

Hundreds of workers and shoppers were cleared out of the Walmart store near the border of Monrovia and Duarte Thursday after some workers said they got sick shortly after handling money from an armored car, authorities said.

Hazardous materials units and about 50 firefighters responded to the Walmart at 1600 Mountain Avenue in Duarte Wednesday after three workers complained of falling ill after handling about $1,000 in one dollar bills delivered by an armored car, Lt. Edward Godfrey of the Sheriff's Department said.

The area around the office where the money was handled and the money itself was tested for radiological, biological and chemical weapons, but nothing out of the ordinary was found, Godfrey said.

"We checked the area and did not find any evidence of any substance or any reaction--radiologically or otherwise," Godfrey said.

The cause of the employees sickness is unknown, he said.

About 120 employees and hundreds more customers were evacuated at about 2:48 p.m., and employees were led back into the store shortly after 5:30 p.m.

One of the employees told authorities of a "tingling" in her hands, but no one exhibited symptoms such as vomiting, authorities said.

Three employees exhibited symptoms when paramedics arrived, said county fire inspector Don Kunitomi, but those symptoms later disappeared. The employees were treated at the scene and none were transported to the hospital.

There have been no reports of past threats against Walmart or other similar incidents in the area, Kunitomi said.