CATASAUQUA, Pa. (WPVI) — 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 on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
County dispatchers said crews were called to the 600 block of Third Street around 9:12 a.m., just a few hours after polls opened for the primary election.<\/p>\n
There was some “sort of explosion” near the vehicle about a half-block away from Salem United Church of Christ, which is a polling place, Trooper Nathan Branosky said.<\/p>\n
State police say nobody was injured and there is no threat to the public.<\/p>\n
Chopper 6 over investigation after an unknown device was allegedly thrown from a vehicle in Catasauqua, Lehigh County<\/p>\n
The motive remains unknown. State police say there is no evidence so far to believe the incident was related to the polling location.<\/p>\n
People who live and work nearby say whatever it was, it was loud.<\/p>\n
“I heard an explosion, wondered what it was, came running outside to see a puff of smoke in the middle of the intersection,” said Aaron Rigo.<\/p>\n
“I was getting ready to leave the house to come down and vote and I heard ‘boom,’ and I thought my basement pulled up,” said Sharon McKee.<\/p>\n
Investigators were seen door-to-door interviewing neighbors, and looking for possible surveillance video of the incident but, so far, no suspects have been named and no arrests have been made.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, while the area remained closed off to vehicles and pedestrians into late afternoon, voters were still able to access the polls inside the church from a rear entrance.<\/p>\n
Despite that, local election officials say all of this commotion appears to be having a negative effect on voter turnout.<\/p>\n
“Prior to all of this happening, we were getting a steady stream of people in. Since this has occurred, and the streets are all blocked off, we’re getting very few people coming in,” said Louis Draxler, Catasaqua Judge of Election-3rd Dist.<\/p>\n
Anyone with information is asked to contact PSP Bethlehem at 610-861-2026.<\/p>\n
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