Abandoned Briefcase Prompts Bomb Scare At Ocean County Library

Toms River NJ

24 May, 2021

9:18 PM

Description

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A briefcase left at the Ocean County Library caused a bomb scare and evacuation of the downtown Toms River area Monday evening, but it was later determined to be clear of explosives, authorities said. The briefcase was reported to police about 6:40 p.m., said Jillian Messina, media relations specialist for the Toms River Police Department. Officers from the Ocean County Sheriff's Office responded and called in the New Jersey State Police bomb unit after a sheriff's K-9 gave a positive indication for explosives on the briefcase, Messina said. State police determined the briefcase did not contain explosives, Messina said. The area was evacuated and Washington and Water streets were closed to traffic from Main Street to Hooper Avenue as a precaution, she said. The streets were reopened about 8:45 p.m. Click here to get Patch email notifications, or download our app to have breaking news alerts sent right to your phone. Have a news tip? Email [email protected] Follow Toms River Patch on Facebook.