TOMS RIVER -- A suspicious package found at a Honda dealership in Toms River was meant to look like a pipe bomb but was not an explosive device, authorities said Thursday.

The device, found by employees of Honda of Toms River on Thursday morning, was metal cylinder about a foot long and 5 inches wide and was wrapped in black tape, said Ralph Stocco, spokesman for the Toms River Police Department. He said the device had several wires and electrical connecters protruding from the ends.

The device was intentionally there, he said, but investigators are still trying to determine why.

The scene was declared safe at 11:30 a.m. but investigators remained in the area to review video footage and to speak to potential witnesses, Stocco said.

Dealership employees found the device in the parking lot at 9:15 a.m. and called police, he said.

The business on Route 37 East as well as homes on nearby Dale and Hill streets were evacuated as a precaution, Stocco said.

The New Jersey State Police, using a remotely operated robot, were able to see the device with a video camera. Using a portable X-ray, they were able to examine the insides of the pipe. Finally, wearing protective gear, State Police troopers approached and disabled it, he said.

Also responding to the scene were members of the Ocean County Prosecutors Office, the Ocean County Sheriff's Office, Toms River fire companies No. 1 and No. 2 and Toms River EMS.

MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.