In brief: Local bomb scare Friday

Written By Zac Seymour

Dozens of Emergency crews responded to a bomb scare Friday at the downtown Amtrak station after officials contacted police about a suspicious vehicle that had been parked overnight.

Lieutenant Daniel Reed told reporters that Amtrak officials contacted police because the SUV had been left in a “no-parking” zone overnight. Police K-9 units were called in to check the area. The bomb-sniffing dogs alerted police to something in the car, prompting them to call in the bomb squad and evacuate the area.

The area was evacuated around noon, and nearby traffic was halted as authorities formed a perimeter around the vehicle. The bomb squad eventually broke the windows of the SUV. The contents of the vehicle included a gas can, an Amazon package and other miscellaneous items. Police deemed the vehicle to be safe, but kept the perimeter closed until they were able to further investigate the area.

The area was cleared at approximately 12:45 p.m., and the surrounding roads and sidewalks were reopened. Officials said that the SUV will be towed.

Pittsburgh Police are still unclear why the vehicle was parked there or who it belongs to.