NYC standoff ends after suspect allegedly tosses fake bomb into police car
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A man suspected of tossing a hoax bomb through the window of a New York Police Department vehicle in Times Square before getting into a standoff with officers is now in custody, authorities said Thursday.
The standoff ended around 8 a.m. after police sent a robot to check out the vehicle because they didn't know what was inside it.
Chief of Department James O'Neill said a cylindrical object was tossed into the vehicle's open window late Wednesday night. He said the object was thrown from another vehicle and turned out to include a candle and a harmless electrical component wrapped in cloth.
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Officers spotted the suspect's sport utility vehicle around 2 a.m. at Columbus Circle and pulled it over, O'Neill said. He said the driver refused to get out and donned a red plastic helmet. SWAT officers remain on the scene Thursday morning.
Police sent a robot equipped with a camera and microphone to communicate with the man, according to a report on Fox 5 "Good Day New York."
Surrounding streets have been closed, and subway trains are bypassing the area.
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Police say two officers were in the marked vehicle when the device was tossed inside. The officers drove to a less-crowded area, placed the device on the sidewalk, exited the vehicle and took cover.
Officers from the NYPD bomb squad gave the all-clear a short time later. There are no reports of injuries.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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