Authorities Evacuate Neighborhood in Ferguson Township as Bomb Squad Investigates Suspicious Device

UPDATED at 9:45 p.m.

Residents who were evacuated from their homes late Tuesday afternoon were allowed to return around 7 p.m. after members of the bomb squad were able to safely disable what was described as a pipe bomb. A suspect is in custody and charges are expected to be filed.

Authorities began evacuating a neighborhood in Ferguson Township Tuesday afternoon after receiving a report of a possible explosive device located in a parked vehicle.

The suspicious device is inside a gold Ford Expedition parked on Wyandotte Lane.

As a precaution, authorities are evacuating an unknown number of houses in the area of the SUV. Residents who need a place to stay in the interim can go to the Lion's Club on Route 26, according to Ferguson Township Police Chief Diane Conrad.

The driver of the SUV stopped at a friend's house, told his friend what he had in the SUV, and the friend became alarmed and called police at roughly 12:45 p.m., according to a police officer at the scene who spoke with StateCollege.com.

That same police officer described the device as a suspected pipe bomb.

A bomb squad with members from Harrisburg arrived later to inspect the device. The team could be seen taking photos and X-rays of the suspicious device.

Authorities say no one is in custody.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

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