ISLIP, N.Y. – A would-be airline passenger was arrested at Long Island's MacArthur Airport Thursday after officials found a potential "improvised explosive device" and other suspicious items in his luggage, Newsday reported.
The items, which also included wires and a folding knife, were detected in the carry-on and checked baggage of a Las Vegas man at a Southwest Airlines checkpoint. The unidentified suspect, who was not believed to be tied to any terrorist groups, was taken into custody, according to Newsday.
The 7:46 a.m. discovery prompted the evacuation of the checkpoint area and led to several flight delays.
MacArthur's commissioner of aviation and transportation, Teresa Rizzuto, said some of the items "resembled fireworks."
The investigation has been turned over to the FBI, but an agent did not immediately return a call from the New York newspaper for comment.
Law enforcement sources told Newsday that the specific type of device, which could be a smoke or pipe bomb, will not be known for sure until it can be defused and examined.
The Suffolk County bomb squad removed the suspected IED and other items, and the checkpoint was reopened at 9:05 a.m.
About 500 passengers were delayed in boarding their flights, Rizzuto said.
Click here to read more on this story from Newsday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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