Trashed electronics prompt bomb probe at MOA
Bloomington Bomb Squad technicians were called to the Mall of America on Tuesday morning after a security guard found some suspicious-looking wires in a trash can, but they deemed it worthless electronics that had been tossed in the garbage, FOX 9 reported.
The garbage can was on the mall's west side perimeter road, FOX reported. A west side entrance to the mall was closed for about one hour, but business and shopping was generally unaffected at the rest of the tourist shopping mecca, FOX said.
Mall officials told FOX they were being extra vigilant in the wake of a bombing at the Boston Marathon that killed three and injured at least 170.
“It’s always on our radar that something can happen here," Police Cmdr. Kevin Herman said, noting that officers at the mall are always vigilant. He declined to say whether additional security measures are in place since the Monday bombings, the Star Tribune reported.
Officials at Minnesota agencies and landmarks are on higher alert, KARE 11 reported. Mall spokesperson Bridget Jewell told KARE that mall officials are talking to partner agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, to find out if they need to take any specific precautions. There will be more law enforcement at Tuesday night's Twins game at Target Field, KARE reported.