False Alarm Causes Scare At Niles Village Hall, Post Office

NILES, IL — Noise coming from a broken-down car prompted the evacuation of Village Hall Friday. Police were called around 11:30 a.m. after a resident called police about a parked car making a "clicking noise" while parked on the west side of the Niles Post Office at 6977 Oakton St., Pioneer Press reported. The bomb squad of the Cook County Sheriff's Office was called in and about 50 people were evacuated from the Village Hall and the Niles Post Office forced to remain outside for more than an hour.

Investigators believe the car, a 1996 Toyota, may have had a problem with the fuel pump that caused it to make the sound. Police told the Niles Herald-Spectator recent incidents of illegal mailing of explosives to prominent Democratic party leaders and funders likely contributed to concerns about the clicking car.

Police said the owner of the Toyota explained he had loaned the car to a friend. It broke down and was left in the lot overnight. According to Niles Police Cmdr. Robert Tornabene, there was never any risk to the public and there are no pending citiations from the incident.

Read more from Pioneer Press