SPD bomb squad busy following Boston bombings
SEATTLE -- In what appears to be a fallout from the bombings that took place at the Boston Marathon Monday, local officers with the Arson and Bomb Squad and investigators have been dispatched to examine a half-dozen suspicious bags or devices around the city this week, police said.
Each of the suspicious packages they have examined have turned up without explosive devices.
"When there's a major event around the country, people become more vigilant," Seattle's Arson/Bomb Squad Sergeant Jim Hansen said.
According to the ABS, most of the items examined over the last few days included hair dryers, wires and discarded baggage. However, a package left at the Ballard Corners Park late Tuesday night has police investigating a possible bomb hoax.
According to police, neighbors spotted a man dressed in dark clothing around 8:30 p.m. at NW 62nd Street and 17th Avenue NW. The man was dancing and talking to himself, police said, and began assembling a "suspicious-looking" item made of pieces of sheet metal, tent poles and wire. The man left the item behind on a bench and walked off.
Detectives called to the scene determined that the item didn't contain any explosives, but was made to resemble one. The suspect could face felony charges for malicious placement of a hoax device if found and arrested.
Police encourage anyone who spots a suspicious device or package to call 911.