Suspicious Package Shuts Down 210 Freeway in Both Directions
Story and Photos by Terry Miller
Confusion in Pasadena ensued when the California Highway Patrol stopped traffic just before the Lake Avenue overpass.
All lanes of the 210 Freeway in Pasadena were completely shut down for over an hour Wednesday morning as a bomb squad robot investigated a suspicious package on the eastbound lanes, at Lake Avenue Gold Line station. The initial call came in just before 8:50 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.
At first, only the eastbound lanes of the 210 Freeway were shut down at Lake Avenue while multiple agencies investigated the incident. By 10 a.m., both sides of the freeway had been shut down. About 30 minutes later, an arson explosives unit was at the scene and a robot was deployed to check out the suspicious package, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department which had a heavy presence during the incident.
A member of the Bomb Squad removed the items from the freeway and the robot was returned to the Bomb Squad vehicle. The scene was declared “all clear” after that; Pasadena Police Department Chief Phillip Sanchez tweeted. A short time later, a SigAlert that had been in effect was canceled and both sides of the 210 Freeway were reopened.
Amid the closure, the traffic backup extended on the eastbound roadway for miles. The Gold Line Station was also closed at the Lake Avenue stop for a short time because of the investigation, according to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation authority. The Metro station was reopened before 11 a.m., but residual delays were expected to last for some time. Investigators did not immediately disclose what the suspicious item was that sparked the freeway shut down.
This latest incident comes on the heels of the FBI found no evidence that the threat made to the Los Angeles Metro Red Line Tuesday was credible. Based on significant similarities, law enforcement partners also believe the anonymous caller may have, on a previous occasion, reported threats that did not materialize. The Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) will continue to investigate to determine the identity of the caller and will continue to evaluate information developed from investigative efforts.
Any individual who knowingly provides false threat information to law enforcement, which can often result in a tactical response and the costly deployment of government resources, is subject to prosecution. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles Police Department remain on a heightened state of awareness with increased directed patrol deployments where deemed necessary. Both agencies report that they have not experienced any significant problems or disruptions on the Los Angeles transit systems. We continue to urge the public to remain vigilant and to report activity they consider to be suspicious to the FBI, or by dialing 911. In addition, the Los Angeles Police Department can be reached toll free at 1-800-A-THREAT (1-800-284-7328) or via the iWatch app.
LA Crime Stoppers is another available option. Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department station; or if you wish to remain anonymous, call LA Crime Stoppers by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” mobile app for FREE or “P3 Mobile” for the hearing impaired.
