TOMS RIVER – There were some tense moments in the downtown area of the township Monday night after a briefcase caused a bomb scare at the main branch of the Ocean County Library. According to the authorities, there were no explosives found.
Toms River Township Police Spokesperson Jillian Messina said the abandoned briefcase was reported to their department a little after 6:30 p.m. on May 24 causing an evacuation of the library and the surrounding area and the closure of two streets during the evening rush.
In addition to township police, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office responded and the New Jersey State Police bomb unit was called in as a precaution.
According to Messina, the state police confirmed that the briefcase did not contain explosives.
Washington Street and Water Street were closed to traffic from Main Street to Hooper Avenue for about an hour and 45 minutes.
An investigation is underway.
