Dayton Bomb Squad investigates, clears incident near City Hall

An investigation into a suspicious backpack near Dayton’s City Hall on Tuesday closed multiple downtown streets for about two hours around lunchtime, but Dayton police Chief Kamran Afzal said police eventually determined nothing dangerous or suspicious was inside.

Dayton Bomb Squad and police crews responded to Ludlow Street between West Second and West Third streets near City Hall late Tuesday morning.

Around 11:30 a.m., a passerby reported they saw someone throw a bag onto the steps of City Hall at 101 W. Third St., the chief said.

ExplorePHOTOS: Dayton Bomb Squad, police investigate suspicious package

Police shut down roads in the area and called in the Dayton Bomb Squad, who X-rayed the bag and found nothing suspicious inside, Afzal said. The bag reportedly contained some tools.

At least one member of the Dayton Bomb Squad was seen getting into a bomb suit before entering and leaving City Hall. At one point the crews put an item inside a Bomb Squad truck. A bomb robot was also at the scene.

City employees working inside City Hall were moved to the back parts of the building during the investigation.

Investigators are trying to identify who left the backpack at City Hall and to determine if there was any criminal intent, Afzal said.

The police chief said it’s entirely possible there was no criminal motive, but if there was, the person responsible could face charges of inducing panic or something similar.

“We’re always thankful anybody who sees something to call it in because you never know,” Afzal said.

Afzal said the bomb squad finished in about two hours, at which point streets were reopened in the area.