Bomb scare that emptied 4 Lake Grove stores unfounded, police say
Suffolk County Police on scene in front of the Old Navy department store at Smith Haven Plaza on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016. Credit: Newsday / Thomas A. Ferrara
The bomb scare at a Lake Grove shopping center Tuesday night was unfounded and turned out to be three canisters containing electrical components, Suffolk police said.
The 8-inch canisters, made of rubber on the outside and lined with metal inside, are not unusual in the construction industry, police said. Emergency service officers X-rayed them at the scene, police said.
But who left them on the east side of the Smith Haven Plaza — and why — is still a mystery.
After the canisters were spotted about 5:40 p.m., authorities evacuated four stores, shut down part of the parking lot and closed off a New Moriches Road between Route 25 to Route 347, police said.
The canisters were discovered near Old Navy, and people had to leave that store along with Trader Joe’s, AT&T and Men’s Wearhouse, police said.
After 90 minutes on the scene, officers gave the nod for business to resume, police said.
The plaza is a short walk to the Smith Haven Mall.
Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
