Newman Avenue Open Again After Bomb Squad Checks Package

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI—The bomb squad responded to a business at 75 Newman Ave. on Friday morning to deal with a suspicious package. Newman Avenue was partly shut down during the investigation, but it has been re-opened, police said.

According to Det. Lt. Raymond Blinn, around 8:30 this morning, an unknown man approached one of the business employees and handed him a package.

The package was wrapped in camouflage paper.

“This is from a friend of a friend,” the man said and left "abruptly," police added.

"The employee correctly felt that the package and the manner in which it was delivered was suspicious and contacted the East Providence Police," Lt. Blinn said. "Officers responded and after speaking with the employee, they also deemed the circumstances suspicious."

The RI State Bomb Squad responded to the scene.

"The Bomb Squad examined the package and deemed the package safe," he said. "The matter is still being investigated, but at this time, it does not appear to be a malicious act."