CATASAUQUA, Pa. – Pennsylvania State Police say they are investigating the report of an “unknown explosive device” being thrown from a vehicle near a polling location in Catasauqua, Lehigh County Tuesday.
County dispatchers said crews were called to the 600 block of Third Street around 9:12 a.m. Police tape was set up in the area. Canine resources, police, and fire crews responded to the scene, according to Trooper Nathan Branosky.
The PSP determined the explosive device detonated approximately ½ block away and around the corner from the entrance of the Salem United Church of Christ and is believed to have been an isolated incident. No information exists to cause investigators to believe this incident was related to the polling location, according to a press release from PSP.
Rich Rolen | for WFMZ-TV
State police say nobody was injured and there is no threat to the public.
At this point, no arrests have been made, according to authorities.
State police were seen entering a home in the block where the incident happened.
Neighbors are shaken up and waiting for answers. It happened just down the road from this apartment complex home to dozens of senior citizens.
“Well, it’s pretty scary, I mean all of us were outside trying to figure out what the noise was and also why it was happening,” said one resident.
In the news briefing, Branosky said all polling locations remained open, and that state police encourage people to go out and exercise their right to vote. Voters can access the poll via the side entrance.
“Voters can be confident that all levels of government and law enforcement are working together to ensure that polling places here in Lehigh County and across the commonwealth remain safe,” Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel said in a statement.
WFMZ-TV | Jenny McCain
Branosky said the investigation is underway, and that authorities are seeking to conduct search warrants.
Multiple streets were shut down while police investigated.