COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A 41-story state office tower that houses the Ohio Supreme Court was evacuated Wednesday after a dog detected a scent of explosives in a van at a loading dock, the State Highway Patrol said.

Patrol spokesman Lt. John Born said a man was in custody.

No explosives were immediately found in the van, but the scent was detected three times by a dog, Born said.

The van was parked at a loading dock in the rear of the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower, across the street from the Statehouse.

About 4,000 state employees work in the building, which houses various agencies as well as the high court. Police cars cordoned off the street.

in front.

Gov. Bob Taft was in his office in another state building a block away from the Rhodes tower, said Joe Andrews, Taft's spokesman.