NYPD says nothing suspicious was found in Mercedes left on Manhattan street; car is towed

NYPD: Nothing suspicious in vehicle left on street

NEW YORK — New York City police say nothing suspicious was found in a Mercedes parked for hours in midtown Manhattan that was being inspected as a precaution.

Officers have towed the vehicle, which had been parked at 51st Street and Park Avenue in front of a bank since about 6 a.m. Thursday. The trunk appeared to be weighted down, and nervous bank workers called police.

The scene was cleared at about 5 p.m., and pedestrian and street traffic that had been briefly blocked while the bomb squad tested the car is being allowed through. Police say people who reported hearing an explosion were actually hearing the sounds of officers using tools to investigate the car.

New York City police get 90 to 100 reports of suspicious packages each day.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York City police bomb squad is looking at a suspicious Mercedes parked in midtown Manhattan and has blocked off some traffic near the vehicle.

Pedestrian and street traffic was blocked on about 10 blocks around the car at about 4:30 p.m., but vehicles are now being allowed to travel again on Park Avenue.

The vehicle is parked near 51st Street and Park Avenue in midtown Manhattan, near St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Waldorf Astoria hotel.

Police say the car has been on the street since 6 a.m. Thursday and the trunk appeared to be weighted down. Authorities were unable to contact the owner and decided to check out the vehicle as a precaution.

Police say people who reported hearing an explosion were actually hearing the sounds of officers using tools to investigate the car.

New York City police get 90 to 100 reports of suspicious vehicles each day.