Officials responded to South Jefferson Street, near the RTA hub, about 8:30 a.m.
#UPDATE - Those in #DowntownDayton may hear loud noises as the #BombSquad continues to investigate near Third St. & Jefferson St.
— Dayton Police Dept. (@DaytonPolice) November 26, 2018
Again, we appreciate folks avoiding the area so personnel can complete their work safely. pic.twitter.com/1Ow1s5Y0nJ
The suspicious package, described by police as a suitcase, was located in a parking garage adjacent to the RTA hub, according to a statement from RTA.
Police said the bomb squad did not use explosives on the package.
News Center 7 video from the scene included audio of a loud boom during what officers called a “remote opening procedure.”
RTA officials were notified of the incident by officers who work at the hub in the mornings, said Mark Donaghy, RTA CEO.
#UPDATE - The #ROADCLOSURES in the area of Third St. & Jefferson St. remain in effect while our Bomb Squad conducts an investigation. We are taking numerous precautions to make sure the public remains safe & ask that you avoid the area. Thank you for your cooperation. pic.twitter.com/0J3Fj9ZbTM
— Dayton Police Dept. (@DaytonPolice) November 26, 2018
Police described the package as a suitcase.
With the hub closed, passengers were loading and unloading buses at Main and Third streets while the bomb squad investigated and disposed of the package. The hub reopened by about 11:15 a.m.
“We have a lot of new bus drivers that don’t remember what buses were like at the intersection of Third and Main, but the customers knew exactly where they needed to be to go north or south,” Donaghy said.
During the investigation, police closed South Jefferson Street between East Second and East Fourth streets. East Third Street was blocked between South Main and South St. Clair streets.
“Whoever this is needs to be locked up for sure,” said Shannon George, an RTA passenger. “Something needs to happen to them (the suspect). They’re putting a lot of people out.”
The package contained old electronics equipment, officials later said.
Monday’s incident was the second significant investigation at the downtown hub this month. On Nov. 14, police swept both the downtown RTA hub and the Miami Twp. hub after a threatening note was found on a bus.
#ROADCLOSURES - Please avoid the area of Third St. & Jefferson St. in downtown #Dayton. There is an active investigation going on around the RTA hub.
— Dayton Police Dept. (@DaytonPolice) November 26, 2018
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