Times Square evacuated after a suspicious truck was left running and unattended with wires extending from the dashboard and gas canisters behind the seats

  • Times Square was evacuated at 8pm on Saturday for about half an hour
  • Suspicious truck was left running and unattended in front of Marriott Hotel
  • Officers found exposed wires extending from the dashboard and gas canisters behind the seats 
  • Bomb squad, fire department, EMS, and dozens of police were on the scene at West 46th St. and 7th Ave, as tourists stood by and watched
  • Truck had Brooklyn address on the side, but it was licensed in Georgia
  • Gas canisters were empty and the vehicle was deemed safe by 8.35pm
  • Authorities are still investigating the vehicle and the driver has been found
  • Southern wing of Port Authority Bus Terminal was also evacuated for an hour after false bomb scare this afternoon 

Times Square was evacuated after a suspicious vehicle with exposed wires from the dashboard and gas canisters behind the seats was left unattended and running, authorities said.

The bomb squad, fire department and emergency units were called to the scene around 8pm on Saturday after the moving truck was found on West 46th Street and Seventh Avenue in Manhattan, according to the NYPD.

The evacuation was called off around 8.35pm, although authorities are still investigating the vehicle and questioning the truck driver. 

Times Square was evacuated after a suspicious vehicle was left unattended and running, authorities said

Times Square was evacuated after a suspicious vehicle was left unattended and running, authorities said

Members of the police force set up barricades and evacuated all pedestrians and occupied vehicles in the area surrounding West 46th Street and 7th Avenue around 8pm on Saturday

Members of the police force set up barricades and evacuated all pedestrians and occupied vehicles in the area surrounding West 46th Street and 7th Avenue around 8pm on Saturday

The area, which is normally packed with tourists, was left completely empty other than members of the NYPD who were called to the scene. Onlookers stayed at the edge of the zone until the evacuation was called off at 8.35pm

The area, which is normally packed with tourists, was left completely empty other than members of the NYPD who were called to the scene. Onlookers stayed at the edge of the zone until the evacuation was called off at 8.35pm

Members of the Critical Response Command noticed a suspicious vehicle was parked in front of the Marriott Hotel while they were patrolling the area at 7.51pm, according to the NYPD.

Dozens of police officers searched a moving truck with an East New York, Brooklyn, address on the side of the vehicle, although officials say it was licensed in Georgia.

Officers noticed 'wires extending out from the dashboard' and gas canisters behind the seat.

ABC7 reporter CeFaan Kim posted a photograph on Twitter of the driver's seat of the truck, showing the lighter plug with several wires attached. 

An emergency unit and bomb squad were called, but they found the gas canisters were empty and the vehicle was later deemed safe. 

Police officers, and other patrol groups, some of which were mounted on horses, evacuated the area filled with pedestrians. Occupied vehicles were also barred from the area.

Social media posts showed authorities moving barricades into the streets as onlookers stood by to watch.

At 8.35pm, NYPD spokesperson J. Peter Donald tweeted: 'All clear in Times Square after a suspicious truck was left running and unattended.'

An investigation is ongoing, and the driver has been found.

New York City's Port Authority was also evacuated this afternoon at 2.43pm after a suspicious box wrapped in brown paper was found by a bomb-sniffing dog.

Commuters were barred from the southern wing of the station for an hour before the box was found to be harmless.

The NYPD has been ramping up its presence following the Brussels terror attacks on March 22.

Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said an additional 13,000 cops have been dispatched to the subways and major landmarks in New York City.   

Members of the Critical Response Command noticed a suspicious vehicle was parked in front of the Marriott Hotel while they were patrolling the area at 7.51pm and the bomb squad and emergency unit were called

Members of the Critical Response Command noticed a suspicious vehicle was parked in front of the Marriott Hotel while they were patrolling the area at 7.51pm and the bomb squad and emergency unit were called

Officers noticed 'wires extending out from the dashboard' and gas canisters behind the seat although those were later found to be empty

Officers noticed 'wires extending out from the dashboard' and gas canisters behind the seat although those were later found to be empty

The truck had an address on the side from East New York in Brooklyn, although the truck was licenced in Georgia

The truck had an address on the side from East New York in Brooklyn, although the truck was licenced in Georgia

 

 

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