Suspicious Device Found in Chester

Bottle with wires and timer attached found near train tracks

A clear plastic bottle with a yellow liquid inside and wires with a timer attached was found near train tracks in Chester Friday afternoon.

Authorities swarmed an alley near 3rd and Rainey Streets after a report of a suspicious device around 2 p.m., said Chester Police.

They found the liquid-filled bottle with a timer and wires attached by duct tape, according to cops.

Some area homes were evacuated as the bomb squad responded -- trying to figure out what the device exactly was, cops said.

"They didn’t give out any information," said Brian Dixon who lives nearby. "I guess because they didn’t want to cause a panic. But at the same time they did have everybody evacuate their homes."

The Delco Times reported that the liquid inside was gasoline.

The device didn’t detonate and there is no word if it was actually a bomb or just a hoax. Investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were called to the scene to try and find answers.

Area residents were eventually allowed back in their homes.

With the country in a heightened state of alert following the killing of Osama bin Laden there is extra sensitivity towards incidents like this. In response Chester police began searching area bridges and railroads for any other possible devices, they said.

Anyone with info about the device or who left it there should contact Chester Police Detectives at (610) 447-7990.


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