FBI Investigating Fake Explosive Devices Found In Newburgh

NEWBURGH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — Fake explosives were found in parking lots of busy stores over the Memorial Day weekend.

Police said there is no threat to the public, but the community remained on high alert, CBS2’s Jenna DeAngelis reported.

The Newburgh Mall is one of the parking lots where those fake explosive devices were found. Although police said there is no threat to the public, they asked if you find a device not to touch it and immediately call 911.

The Newburgh Police Department said several fake, inert explosive devices were found around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. It wasn’t immediately clear how many.

In addition to the Newburgh Mall, police said the devices were discovered in the parking lot of Stop and Shop, both located on the Route 300 corridor.

The New York State Police Bomb Disposal Unit came in to assist the Newburgh police and determined no threat to public safety. Still, people DeAngelis spoke to outside the mall had no idea what had happened and felt a bit uneasy.

Eddie Calli said he spoke to his aunt after she and his grandfather got quite a scare Saturday night. They were inside a restaurant near Stop and Shop when police arrived.

“My aunt was scared. You could just hear it in her voice. She was breathing heavy,” Calli said. “They vacated everybody from the premises, that there was a bomb scare going on.”

The incident happened at just about the time Matt Lazarski happened to be driving by.

“You couldn’t get through. Cops were deterring people from coming in the parking lot. You had to go back down 300. It’s crazy,” Lazarski said.

“I have kids. I wouldn’t want my family, my kids to be walking in public like that,” said Louis Castro of Chester, New York.

“We’re New Yorkers. You have to call. You have to talk to people. If you find something you’re nervous about, gotta keep your kids close and always be on alert,” added Maria Beecroft of Kingston.

Police have not released a description of the devices, but ask if you see anything suspicious to contact them immediately.

Newburgh detectives are now working with the FBI to get to the bottom of this, DeAngelis reported.

Anyone with information about the devices should contact the FBI at 212-384-1000.

Check back with CBSNewYork.com for more on this developing story.