A suspicious package was found on a CTA train at the Harlem Avenue Blue Line stop this afternoon about 2:55 p.m.
According to Forest Park Village Administrator Michael Sturino, the Cook County Bomb Squad X-rayed the package and found that it showed signs that it could contain an explosive device.
“When the X-ray occurred, there was an indication of electronic equipment that could be consistent with an explosive device,” said Sturino.
He said that the bomb squad detonated the device “to err on the side of caution.”
Sturino said that bomb-sniffing dogs are currently on the scene to confirm the presence of explosives, and that the FBI has been notified of the situation, though they had not yet reported to the scene.
He added that Police Chief James Ryan and Forest Park evidence technicians were currently on the scene collecting evidence.
The incident resulted in the temporary closure to both vehicles and pedestrians of a stretch of Desplaines Avenue beginning at Jackson and extending past the Eisenhower Expressway, though a CTA representative later said the road had recently been reopened.
CTA passengers are being routed by Pace-operated buses between the Harlem and Desplaines stations.
–Seth Stern
