A law enforcement official said the letters were mailed to Chase bank branches in or near Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Newark, N.J., New York, Oklahoma City and Washington. The letters all appear to be from the same source and were sent from South Texas, officials said. Postal inspectors say the letters appear to be related.

No injuries were reported. Neither the local Postal Service nor the FBI has released the text of the letters or their origin.

Norman Police Capt. Leonard Judy said the letter was reported to police at 11:18 a.m. Monday. At least 10 bank employees who had come into close proximity to the envelope were decontaminated at the scene by Norman Fire Department personnel and subsequently released. Judy said no hazardous substance came out of the letter and there was no smell.

"One bank employee was transported by EMSStat to Norman Regional Hospital as a precaution after she complained of discomfort not known to have been connected with the envelope or its contents," Judy said.

Tom Blakey 366-3540 tblakey@normantranscript.com