Los Angeles police have cleared a potential bomb threat at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, the location of the Dolby Theatre where Sunday’s Academy Awards will take place.
A suspicious package said to be in the trunk of a car was reported around 11 a.m. PT at the popular tourist destination, as police advised local residents to avoid the area as streets including Hollywood, Highland and Franklin Avenue were closed.
#LAPD Bomb Squad Code 6 (at scene) at HWD Blvd near Highland. Code 4 (all clear) at loc re: supicious pkg. pic.twitter.com/cxP6mqHLHM
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) February 20, 2015
The man behind the wheel of the vehicle in question was stopped by police after being spotted driving erratically, he then got out of the car and was found walking down the street carrying a propane tank, the LAPD told TheWrap.
The suspect was taken into custody where he told police that he had explosives in the car. According to the official LAPD Wilshire Twitter account, the bomb squad used a water cannon and robot to inspect the vehicle for potential explosives, which is standard procedure, but those tweets were later deleted.
“There is no explosive, that has been cleared. [The driver] is still in custody and is being transported to the Hollywood police station where officers are going to question him,” the LAPD spokesperson said, adding that they will then decide if they are going to press charges.