The bomb squad made it clear after a Queens mall was evacuated by reports of a suspicious Tesla containing propane tanks
- Queens Place Mall has been evacuated due to reports of a suspicious vehicle
- The city’s bomb squad is on the scene and reportedly investigating a Tesla
- Tesla is said to have two propane tanks that are connected to a battery
- Video and footage of the scene show a large police presence as authorities block roads and direct pedestrian traffic in the area.
Investigators in New York City have made it “all clear” after reports of a “Tesla containing propane tanks” near a mall led to the evacuation of the area.
Queens Place Mall was evacuated Monday morning after authorities received a call about the suspicious vehicle parked along Queens Boulevard around 8:30 p.m.
Video and photos showed a large presence of emergency personnel on 56th Avenue and Queens Blvd.
The NYPD Anti-Terrorism Office bomb squad investigated the vehicle and shortly before 10:30 a.m. gave “everything clear.”
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New York City investigators have said “all clear” after reports of a “Tesla with propane tanks” near a mall led to the evacuation of the area
Images from the Citizen app show fire trucks and several police cars at the scene as authorities investigate
According to NBC, the vehicle, which had stolen license plates, forced viewers to call 911 after seeing a small can attached to the back of the vehicle.
There was also a Black Lives Matter sign on the can. Authorities are still searching for the driver.
Early reports indicated the can may contain explosives.
Officials continue to urge New Yorkers to use alternative routes due to road closures and to continue directing traffic on foot from the site.
An NYPD spokesman confirmed the ongoing investigation at the Queens Place mall, but said no further details about the incident are available immediately.
The incident comes just two weeks after an RV exploded in downtown Nashville on Christmas Day and amid rising crime in New York City.
Officials continue to urge New Yorkers to use alternative routes due to road closures and to continue directing traffic on foot from the site.
In Nashville, suspect Anthony Q. Warner, 63, committed suicide in the blast when he detonated the bomb while inside the RV.
The bombing took place in the early hours of the morning, when there was little activity in the city, and an automated message emanating from the vehicle warning of a bomb allowed police to evacuate people.
More than 40 companies were damaged in the blast and at least eight people were injured. Warner is the only known death.
Meanwhile, New York City has seen an increase in crime.
According to statistics released Friday, New York City recorded a 97% jump in shootings and a 45% increase in murders.
This is the largest increase since 2011. The number of people shot has doubled the total of 2019, reaching a maximum of 14 years.
The NYPD reported 462 murders across the city in 2020. That is a difference of 143 from 2019.
Shots also increased with 1,531 gun-related incidents in New York City. That’s 754 more than in 2019, officials said.