Suspicious Item Forces Closure At Winnetka Ave. And Roscoe Blvd

NORTHRIDGE, CA — The Los Angeles Police Department Bomb Squad has closed off the area around Winnetka Avenue and Roscoe Boulevard where a suspicious item was found Monday morning.

A bomb squad was sent to remove the item that turned out to be a pressure cooker. The scare forced traffic to be routed away from the area and the lockdown of nearby Winnetka Avenue Elementary School. The area was declared safe by 1:30 p.m., and the lockdown at the school was lifted. Students were released to their parents a short time later.

The incident had blocked off a busy intersection which includes a gas station, a banking center and Winnetka Avenue Elementary School.

"The call came out at 10:37 a.m.," said LAPD spokesman Officer Jeff Lee. "It looks like something was left sitting on top of an electrical box."

City News Service contributed to this report.