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Posted on Fri, May 13, 2011 : 3:12 p.m.

Ann Arbor police continue to investigate bomb threat after disposing of suspicious package

By Lee Higgins

051311_NEWS_Bomb Scare_MRM_03.jpg

A Michigan State Police Bomb Squad officer carries the package that caused a commotion in downtown Ann Arbor Friday afternoon.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Ann Arbor police continue to investigate a bomb threat that a man phoned in this morning to the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, Det. Sgt. Brian Jatczak said.

The threat prompted law enforcement officials to take extra precautions when someone found a black box unattended at 1 p.m. on South Fourth Avenue between Liberty and William streets, police said.

The box, which police ultimately determined did not pose any threat, was found down the street from the AATA's Blake Transit Center.

"Being in close proximity to the bus terminal there, we thought it could be related to the phone call earlier in the morning," Jatczak said.

After officials closed off the area to traffic, the Michigan State Police Bomb Squad determined at 2 p.m. that the box didn't pose a threat and was a promotional item for the movie "Thor." Jatczak said the man who phoned in the threat did not put the box there.

Jatczak said investigators are working to identify the man. He did not have details on what the man said on the phone.

Anyone with information can call the police department's tip line at (734) 794-6939.

Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.

Comments

Corey Fellabaum

Sun, May 15, 2011 : 6:20 p.m.

The Blake Transit Center has security cameras so they could look at that and see who left the box

huh7891

Sat, May 14, 2011 : 10:06 p.m.

How can the City Council and Mayor be convinced to not abandon their employees by laying them off? Perhaps they must pay attention to how much one suspicious package tasked the police resources and take a strong position on truly supporting their public safety personnel. Layoffs (and the decade long threats of layoffs) crush morale and loyalty while destroying all faith in leadership's ability to lead and look out for their work force. Although the City must be tough in negotiations with the unions, they should only sacrifice their people when facing bankruptcy. The most effective military and business units in the world have one thing in common: their people know they will not be abandoned. Let's see whether The City of Ann Arbor upholds the same standards.

lou glorie

Sat, May 14, 2011 : 5:38 p.m.

The beauty of single stream recycling clearly demonstrated.

DadooS

Sat, May 14, 2011 : 1:34 p.m.

I guess the movie "Thor" must be a real bomb.

Tru2Blu76

Sat, May 14, 2011 : 5:54 a.m.

I have a question for those who express disgust / anger toward U.S. law enforcement because these agencies are responding to such things as bomb threats and suspicious packages. That question is: What alternative do you offer? I mean: what methods would you use to provide security against such threats for your fellow citizens? Actually, there's one more question: do you want to be in charge of national security or any part of the anti-terrorist / counter insurgency programs? I'm sure everyone will be very interested in hearing your answers, particularly since comments here seem to imply superior knowledge about cost-free protection for us and would apparently restore all of our "lost liberties." Please step forward because the rest of America's suffering, stupid humanity desperately needs your brilliant solutions. Meanwhile: if there has been more than one such "incident" which fit the pattern of this one, then why have authorities not issued an alert?? Finally: thanks to those first responders. These men and women are risking their lives trying to keep us safe. We can't PAY THEM ENOUGH to do what they do for us.

RJA

Fri, May 13, 2011 : 9:52 p.m.

More packages or suspicious boxes have been found in many different countys recently. Thank God the findings have not been serious. I agree these people should be found and charged.

Freemind42

Fri, May 13, 2011 : 8:11 p.m.

Gotta keep a healthy level of fear going, otherwise we might start to ask for our civil liberties back.

bedrog

Sat, May 14, 2011 : 12:04 p.m.

What civil liberties have you been deprived of??... even in an era when sensible people, both in and out of government ,are responsibly addressing ongoing threats from fanatics that , if anything, are escalating for a diversity of sources now that the 'head of the snake' is happily dead..

nowayjose

Fri, May 13, 2011 : 9:30 p.m.

Cool. Now we know we can call you to pick up the next suspicious package. All our prayers have been answered. Safety and our civil liberties in tact. Thank you kind sir.

breadman

Fri, May 13, 2011 : 7:20 p.m.

So how much increase will we see on the next election for tax millage for the city? Called it off, find the person and make that person pay for the enfrocement.........