Package cleared after unattended suitcase found on sidewalk blocks from United Nations – NBC New York

Package cleared after unattended suitcase found on sidewalk blocks from United Nations  NBC New York

An NYPD canine detected something inside an unattended black suitcase at East 43rd Street and Third Avenue — near the Chrysler Building and two avenues from… Police temporarily closed off a section of Midtown East after a possibly suspicious package was found on the sidewalk just blocks away from the United Nations, according to a law enforcement source. An NYPD canine detected something inside an unattended black suitcase just before 3 p.m. at East 43rd Street and Third Avenue — near the Chrysler Building and just two avenues from the United Nations Headquarters, where scores of world leaders were attending the General Assembly.

The department's Emergency Services Unit was at the scene to block traffic and tape off the area. The bomb squad responded to the scene as well, a source told NBC New York. Police closed off 42nd Street, 43rd Street and 44th Street between Second Avenue and Lexington Avenue as they conducted their investigation. About 90 minutes after the suitcase was found, police said the package had been cleared and was deemed not to be suspicious. A building in the area was evacuated as a precaution.