Device with gas cans, wires found in car in NJ

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Police in New Jersey’s largest city say a car parked near a railroad overpass did not contain a bomb.

A police bomb squad was dispatched to examine the vehicle Wednesday after a passerby reported it as suspicious.

Newark Police Director Garry McCarthy said police found two gasoline canisters sitting on top of a tool box inside the car. There were wires protruding from the tool box and a battery pack nearby but nothing was connected.

McCarthy said: “At this point we know it’s not a bomb.”

But McCarthy said authorities do not know why the car was there or whether it might have been a hoax.

The Dodge Omni is parked about six car lengths from a railroad overpass in Newark that serves Amtrak and NJ Transit trains. The trains are still running.

Detective Sgt. Ronald Glover says authorities have identified the owner of the car through motor vehicle records and are attempting to contact that person.