An unexplained explosive device was found near the entrance of a small suburban apartment building in New York on Monday, leading authorities to issue a shelter-in-place order after residents reported hearing loud booms. The normally peaceful, tree-lined neighborhood was shaken by a powerful noise shortly before 4:30 a.m. Initially thought to be a transformer explosion, police arrived on Odell Avenue following several calls but found no evidence of such damage, according to the White Plains Police Department.
A police officer later identified what seemed to be a “small explosive device” near the entrance of the apartment building, leading to an order for local residents to remain indoors, according to police reports. Additional units, including the Westchester County Hazardous Devices Unit, were brought in to secure and neutralize the device.
White Plains public safety commissioner Wade Hardy confirmed the device was indeed explosive but lacked the capability for remote detonation, as reported by Lohud.
Local resident Yulissa Severino recounted hearing two loud booms overnight, akin to similar noises heard in recent weeks. Despite police finding nothing during earlier incidents when Severino reported hearing booms, she awoke Monday to find police urging her to stay indoors as two handcuffed men were led from the building where the device was found.
Severino expressed her concerns, saying, “Those other times I thought someone was going to blow up the block, it was so loud, like they were experimenting. There’s a war going on, so you think about that.”
The White Plains Police have confirmed that two “people of interest” are being questioned in connection with the explosive device. The investigation will be managed by the White Plains Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division, with support from federal law enforcement partners, according to police.
“We are pleased to report that there were no reported injuries to anyone or damage to any property,” the police department stated in a news release. “At this time, there appears to be no ongoing threat to the public, and our citizens are safe to resume normal activity in the area. There may be some temporary road closures. We understand that this morning’s events caused concern, and we want to assure the public that the safety of our residents remains our top priority.”
