Suspicious device found near Alamo Plaza was not an explosive

San Antonio police are responding to an apparent bomb threat at Alamo Plaza. San Antonio police are responding to an apparent bomb threat at Alamo Plaza. Photo: Fares Sabawi Photo: Fares Sabawi Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Suspicious device found near Alamo Plaza was not an explosive 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

The device found near Alamo Plaza and the federal courthouse that prompted a police response and evacuation of the area was not an explosive, officials said.

Officer Doug Greene said the suspicious device, made of a clay material with copper tubing sitting on top of a box, was found at the west end of the courthouse, near Houston and Alamo streets around 1:45 p.m.

Federal law enforcement agents and San Antonio police officers responded.

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Greene said though the device was not explosive, leaving it in a public place could be considered criminal.

"We can't be complacent in these situations," he said. "Even though this turned out safe, we have to be prepared to respond."

While they investigated, police closed off streets in the area and people were evacuated from Alamo Plaza and the federal courthouse. No further information was immediately available.

The area should reopen by 3:15 p.m.

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Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County. Read him on our breaking news site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | fsabawi@mysa.com|@FaresInSA