UPDATE: 'Explosive Threat' Unfounded at Picatinny Army Base

Update, 5:20 p.m.:

An “explosive threat” at Picatinny Arsenal Army Base in Rockaway Township Friday afternoon was unfounded, spokesperson Ed Lopez announced.

“At 11:30 a.m. a driver tried to gain access to U.S. Army installation Picatinny Arsenal through the post’s truck gate,” said Lopez. “At that time security personnel noticed something suspicious with the vehicle and are treating the situation as if it were an explosive threat.”

Evacuations were ordered and roads closed within a five-mile radius as a result of the investigation.

Entrance to the base was halted, and at 1:44 p.m. Arsenal employees were instructed to leave the post, Lopez said.

The driver of the vehicle was detained and questioned, Lopez said. Just after 5 p.m., Picatinny Arsenal gave the all clear, and said the threat was a false alarm.

Picatinny has a workforce of more than 6,000 military members, Department of Defense civilians and contractors, Lopez said, but would not comment on how many were evacuated Friday.

Route 15 between Route 80 and Berkshire Valley Road was closed as a result of the investigation, according to a Nixle alert sent out by Rockaway Township Police.

Picatinny Arsenal, originally named Dover Powder Depot, was built by the War Department in 1880. Just a few days later, according to the base, the name was changed to Picatinny Powder Depot, and in 1907, was changed to Picatinny Arsenal by the Army.

The base is located on more than 6,000 acres in Rockaway and Jefferson Townships, and in 2005 was given expanded duties while other New Jersey installments were shuttered. As a result, 688 jobs were added to the Morris County base.

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