Authorities closed off a small portion of downtown Newark to investigate a suspicious package that was left near a store.
According to authorities, shortly before 4 p.m., police responded to a suspicious package located in front of a store located in the 800 block of Broad Street Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said.
Police quickly closed Broad Street between Lafayette and Market Street for approximately 45-minutes during which time the department’s bomb technician responded and conducted a thorough investigation.
Authorities said, after it was determined that the suspicious bag contained a toaster oven, Broad Street was reopened.
"The area wasn’t evacuated as a result of the incident as was incorrectly reported by a national news outlet", Director Ambrose said.
According to Director Ambrose, during the investigation, the occupants in a store that was located directly in front of where the package was found, were asked to leave.
Occupants of other buildings in the vicinity were asked to remain in the buildings for safety purposes only Director Ambrose said.
"Naturally, while the investigation was being conducted, pedestrians weren’t allowed in the closed section of Broad Street. It should also be noted that the operations in or around The Prudential Center Arena, was not impacted by the investigation" Director Ambrose concluded.