Posted on 05/20/2003 12:19:04 PM PDT by freeperfromnj
NEW YORK -- Penn Station was partially evacuated and some train service halted Tuesday afternoon after authorities received a report of a "suspicious" man with a package aboard an Amtrak train from Washington, an Amtrak spokesman said.
The train came into the station at 12:18 p.m. on its way to Boston, said spokesman Dan Stessel. Upon investigation, authorities ordered the evacuation of track 10, the platform where the train arrived, and the level above it, he said.
The man was being questioned by Amtrak police, Stessel said. He had no information on the man's identity, or the circumstances that led to the report.
The investigation caused suspensions and delays for Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road and New Jersey Transit service.
Agree. I wonder if this happened before or after the alert was raised
It really does. I commute into Penn every day and the bomb sniffing dogs definitely add a sense of security. Still, it is a top target with New Jersey transit, Long Island Railroad, 4 or 5 subway lines, Madison Square Garden and lots of office space all on that one location.
Something's got them rattled to have them suddenly step up the threat level.
Penn Station Reopens After Police Remove Suspicious Package From Amtrak Train</B?
MAY 20TH, 2003
A portion of Penn Station was evacuated for more than two hours Tuesday after police received reports of a suspicious package aboard an Amtrak train. Law enforcement officials now say the package has been removed, and that train service has been restored and the station reopened to pedestrians.
The train in question, Amtrak No. 174, originated in Washington D.C. and is headed for Boston. During its regularly scheduled stop in Manhattan this morning, officials were notified of a suspicious package and passenger.
The train was evacuated as a precaution, along with neighboring platforms and the floors above the tracks, while police investigated.
Police say a suspect has been taken into custody in connection with the incident, although officials would not say why.
Penn Station reopened to commuters shortly after 3 p.m.
Amtrak, New Jersey Transit and Long Island Railroad service was suspended for more than an hour and a half in both directions in and out of Penn Station while police conducted their investigation, but it has now been restored, with delays.
MTA officials say subway service was not affected by the incident.
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