Exclusive: Bomb Squad Called To Investigate 'Suicide Vests' At West LA Apartment Complex

WEST LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The LAPD bomb squad and the FBI were called to investigate what appeared to be suicide vests at a West L.A. apartment complex.

The LAPD Counter-Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau (CTSOB) explained to CBS2's Serene Branson that the devices -- vests which appeared to have wires, nails and bolts glued to explosives -- actually turned out to be fake.

CTSOB Chief Michael Downing said his team took every precaution but ultimately determined they were not explosive.

Nonetheless, the whole incident rattled residents as many of them prepared for the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashana.

The vests were found when new tenants were moving into the posh high-rise at Wilshire Boulevard and Thayer Avenue. Authorities got a hold of the apartment's former tenant, a filmmaker from Afghanistan who used the vests as props in her movies.

The woman was fully cooperative in the LAPD's investigation. In fact, at the time authorities contacted her she was at the United Nations listening to President Obama give a talk on terrorism.

"We know who she is. We've looked at her background. We've talk to her and interviewed her. There's no nefarious intent whatsoever," said Downing, who would not identify her.

She works for the Afghanistan World Foundation, which produced the critically-acclaimed film "Black Tulip." Their business address is listed as a suite in the high-rise. The group is reportedly dedicated to stopping violence and reducing land-mine attacks in Afghanistan.

The woman said she left the vests behind only because she forgot to retrieve them.