njtransitgladstoneline.jpg

A station on the NJ Transit Gladstone Line in a December 2012 file photo.

(Barbara Rybolt/Independent Press)

PEAPACK-GLADSTONE — A suspicious package found on a train and initially thought to be a bomb drew a large police response and caused the evacuation of area homes — but turned out to be a harmless science project, according to Peapack-Gladstone Police Chief Gregory Skinner.

At about 9:54 p.m. Monday, the Peapack and Gladstone Police Department, at the request of the NJ Transit Police, investigated a suspicious package left on a train at the Gladstone NJ Transit train station on Main Street, Skinner said in a news release.

The package was found by a NJ Transit employee who thought it could be an explosive device, Skinner said.

Homes adjacent to the train station were evacuated by the Peapack and Gladstone Fire Department as a precaution, and arrangements were made by the borough Public Works and Office of Emergency Management for the displaced residents to stay at the Municipal Building, Skinner said.

CONNECT WITH US

• Follow us on Twitter



• Like us on Facebook



• NJ.com/somerset



After a joint investigation by borough police, transit police and the New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad, a transit police K-9 explosive detection dog inspected the package and determined it was not an explosive device, Skinner said.

The shoebox-type package was identified as a student's science project that had been mistakenly left on the train, and was not left maliciously nor with intent to cause alarm or harm, Skinner said.

Inside the shoebox was a small black box with wheels attached to the side and taped on top was a straw with a balloon attached to an end, Skinner said. If someone blows the balloon up, the vehicle should be propelled along a flat surface, Skinner told NJ.com via email.

"The (NJ Transit) employee peeked inside the shoebox, saw pipe cleaners and the black box," Skinner said. "Without looking closely he felt it could have been a bomb."

Skinner said that NJ Transit took the package, which had a name written on it, but did not have a school name on it.

"I would say it's safe to say it was not a fake bomb," Skinner said.

The residents who were in the process of being evacuated were returned to their homes by 11 p.m., Skinner said.

The Far Hills Police Department, Bedminster Police Department, Peapack-Gladstone First Aid Squad and Somerset County Prosecutor's Office assisted at the scene, Skinner said.

"This incident serves as a strong reminder for the public to remain alert for unattended packages or suspicious activity," Skinner said. "Any unattended packages should be left alone and not moved by members of the public."

Skinner suggests such packages or activity be reported to law enforcement by calling 911 or 888-847-7658.