Bomb Squad Called To Investigate Suspicious Suitcase In Oakland

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The bomb squad was called Friday afternoon after baggage was found chained to a railing at the corner of Fifth Avenue and McKee Place in Oakland.

Police shut down part of Fifth Avenue after the discovery of the suspicious suitcase outside Hieber's Pharmacy across the street from UPMC.

The bomb squad was called to the scene. Using a robot, they detonated the suitcase. Police spokeswoman Emily Schaffer said whatever was in that suitcase was non-threatening, however they didn't want to take any chances, which is why it was detonated.

"I couldn't see anything, so I went into the hallway and I met a man and woman, and they said that they called 911 because they saw luggage chained to a fence," Joseph Bettinger, owner of Hieber's Pharmacy, said. "And then in short order, the police closed off 5th Avenue and McKee Place, and everything came to a standstill."

Fifth Avenue was reopened a short time later.

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