Suspicious Vehicle Probe: Roads Reopen, Evacuation Orders Lifted

BALTIMORE, MD — A van containing stolen diesel fuel resulted in a massive investigation that evacuated buildings, closed down part of the Inner Harbor and blocked arteries to downtown Baltimore Monday for several hours. Federal and local officials were called to investigate the suspicious vehicle, which was discovered Monday morning inside a parking garage on Pratt Street.

Multiple roads had begun to reopen before 5 p.m., but officials warned drivers to avoid the area.

"Heavy traffic conditions still exist in the downtown area as a result of today’s police activity," the Baltimore City Department of Transportation said in a traffic advisory after 4:55 p.m. "Roadways in the downtown area are now beginning to reopen, but traffic is still congested throughout the downtown district."

Specifically, officials said: "Heavy traffic conditions also exist along the southbound Jones Falls Expressway. Commuters should be prepared for significant congestion and delays as traffic begins to move through the central business district. Citizens are strongly encouraged to use alternate routes away from the downtown area if possible this afternoon to avoid heavy traffic conditions."

The suspicious vehicle that prompted the closures was reportedly towed out of the garage before 5:30 p.m.

There were cables inside the van, and the windows were blacked out, Col. Richard Worley of the Baltimore Police Department reported at a press conference after 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9.

Investigators think the cables were used to siphon diesel fuel into two large bins that were located inside the 15-passenger van, he said. At the time, he reported authorities were still interviewing the owner and determining why the van was parked there.

INITIAL REPORT [EXPIRED]: People are advised to avoid the area in downtown Baltimore where a suspicious vehicle has drawn local and federal authorities to investigate. Multiple streets are blocked off Monday afternoon due to what public safety personnel say is a suspicious vehicle. Buildings have been evacuated, some bus service has been canceled, city school buses may be delayed and traffic backups have extended to the interstate headed into downtown, officials say.

A suspicious vehicle prompted the closures. Public safety personnel were called to the 100 block of East Pratt Street for the possibility of a vehicle leaking gas Monday morning.

They found a van parked in the garage that by midday has leaked 1,000 gallons of gasoline, according to authorities, who reported they evacuated the area in a four-block radius to create a safe zone while assessing the situation. The Baltimore City Fire Department reported that it had learned of a suspicious vehicle threat at 10:39 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 9, and ordered all buildings in the surrounding area evacuated.

The T. Rowe Price building at 100 East Pratt Street was evacuated shortly after 11 a.m., The Baltimore Sun reported. The bomb squad was called in, and the Baltimore ATF stated that its agents were responding.

Several roads were closed downtown, and the Inner Harbor promenade near the Maryland Science Center was blocked off.

Here are the streets that are impacted, according to the Baltimore Department of Transportation:

• Calvert Street
• Light Street
• Lombard Street
• Pratt Street

The orange and green routes on the Charm City Circulator are suspended. Initially, service on all routes was stopped due to the investigation. By 3 p.m. the purple route had resumed service and would be taking a detour. Buses will travel south from 33rd Street to Fayette then return north. The banner route is resuming with one missed stop at Pratt Street.

Because of the road closures around the Inner Harbor, some yellow school buses may be delayed by about 25 to 30 minutes, according to Baltimore City Public Schools. Those who use services provided by the MTA near the Inner Harbor should allow extra time.

Officials said that traffic up to Interstate 83 was impacted. "Downtown road closures due to a suspicious vehicle are also causing delays on the southbound Jones Falls Expressway," the Baltimore Department of Transportation reported at 1:20 p.m. "Please use alternate routes and avoid the downtown area."