APG Gate Reopens After Suspicious Situation

Aberdeen, MD — One of the gates at Aberdeen Proving Ground has reopened following an investigation.

A "suspicious vehicle" was trying to get into the military installation using the Maryland Avenue (MD 715) gate on Wednesday morning, according to Aberdeen Proving Ground officials.

At 9 a.m. a military working dog inspecting a truck at the MD 715 gate alerted officials to the presence of explosives, APG reported.

Using a dog to conduct an inspection is routine, according to Aberdeen Proving Ground personnel, who said the K-9 officer hailed from the Aberdeen Police Department.

The driver and a passenger of the truck were taken for questioning while the vehicle was inspected.

Citizens were advised after 10 a.m. to use the MD 22 gate to access APG because of an "ongoing incident" at the MD 715 entrance.

The Aberdeen Police Department, Office of the State Fire Marshal and Army explosive ordnance crew investigated the situation, and nobody was injured, officials reported.

Around 12:30 p.m., officials announced that the military installation had returned to normal operations.

The vehicle was given the all clear, and nothing was found.

Here is the statement from APG when the incident was occurring after 10 a.m.: "APG emergency personnel are responding to an ongoing incident at the Maryland Avenue Gate (Route 715) area of APG. Since safety and security of the workforce and residents is paramount, all are being advised to avoid the area until the incident is resolved. Entry and exit is restricted to the Harford Blvd. (Route 22) gate until further notice. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available."

APG issued this statement at the conclusion of the investigation, before 1 p.m.: "APG emergency personnel have cleared the incident at the Maryland Avenue Gate (Route 715) area of APG and the installation has returned to normal operations. At approximately 9 a.m. this morning, a truck was being inspected by a Military Working Dog who alerted for potential explosives. Since the safety and security of our workforce, residents and the surrounding communities is paramount, our routine procedure is to take necessary precautions. This is absolutely appropriate given the situation. The driver and one passenger were taken aside and questioned, while the vehicle was further inspected. APG Police department worked with Maryland State Fire Marshal's office and Army EOD to investigate the suspicious vehicle. The vehicle was cleared and APG has returned to normal operations."

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