Train service was resuming at Ogilvie Transportation Center Wednesday afternoon after Chicago Police Bomb Unit investigators were called about unattended luggage near the tracks at the West Loop train station.
CPD 1st District Cmdr. Michael Pigott said the incident started when a man put the two items down near a ticket agent, then said something to a custodian. That person then told her supervisor.
X-rays showed a “cell phone and some other stuff,” Pigott said. The fire department later said the items inside the luggage “turned out to pose no threat.”
1st District Cmdr Pigott: Man set down 2 packages near ticket agent, said something to a custodial worker, who then told her supervisor. “Cell phone and some other stuff” found when packages were x-rayed. Suspect not in custody. pic.twitter.com/ccjYYS6fkv
— Sam Charles (@samjcharles) May 16, 2018
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The luggage was found on the platform level shortly before 10 a.m. at the station at 500 W. Madison, according to Metra spokesman Tom Miller. Trains were not allowed to enter or depart from the station while authorities investigated, but service resumed with delays shortly after 12:15 p.m.
Police officers and Bomb Unit members were called to the station to assist Metra police with the investigation, according to Chicago Police.
Parts of the station were evacuated, according to Miller.
Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Merritt said CFD crews were called to the station for a hazardous materials response.
Level 2 Hazmat at 500 W. Madison has been secured; items inside bags turned out to pose no threat. pic.twitter.com/B7wOTkNe1O
— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) May 16, 2018
Authorities were investigating after unattended luggage was found on the platform level of Ogilvie Transportation Center in the West Loop. The CPD Bomb Unit was called and parts of the station were evacuated. | Sam Charles/Sun-Times
Authorities began to let employees back into the building about 12:30 p.m.
Hundreds of evacuees gathered on the south side of Madison across the street from Ogilvie as law enforcement investigated, snapping photos on their phones. Several dozen police and fire responders could be seen in and around the station’s lobby.
More than a dozen emergency response vehicles clogged Madison between Canal and Clinton.
Police diverted westbound traffic on Madison to northbound Franklin. Madison was moving freely at Desplaines as of noon.
Hundreds of evacuees gathered on the south side of Madison across the street from Ogilvie Transportation Center as law enforcement investigated after unattended luggage was found on the platform level of the station. | Sam Charles/Sun-Times
