***UPDATE***

DSP News Release: Troopers Investigate Suspicious Suitcase 

Location: 

• Wawa Convenience Store, 1515 N. DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE

Date of Occurrence:

• Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 12:00 p.m.

Resume:

New Castle, DE-The Delaware State Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit responded to the Wawa Convenience Store on N. DuPont Highway earlier this afternoon for the report of a suspicious suitcase in the area of the gas pumps.

On Sunday, December 11, 2011 at approximately 12:00 p.m. Troopers responded to the Wawa Convenience Store located in the 1500 block of N. DuPont Highway in New Castle after a customer became concerned after discovering a suspicious suitcase that had been left at the gas pumps unattended.  As a precaution responding Troopers evacuated the Wawa as well as the businesses located in the Parkway Plaza Shopping Center directly south of the Wawa.  US Rt. 13 northbound at Boulden Boulevard as well as US Rt. 13 southbound at I-295 were closed to vehicular traffic.

The Delaware State Police EOD Unit responded and examined the suitcase and determined it to be non explosive and empty of contents.  The scene was declared safe with all units clearing.  US Rt. 13, which had been closed for approximately one hour, was then reopened in both directions.

The investigation into this incident has been turned over to the Delaware State Fire Marshall’s Office.

    “Troopers take this opportunity to encourage the public to become involved in the national “See Something, Say Something” Campaign.  The effort urges the public to contact police if they see any suspicious activity or anything out of the ordinary, and assist by becoming force multipliers, acting as the eyes and ears for the Delaware State Police in combating terrorism.

The public can report suspicious activity by contacting Delaware’s Anti-Terrorism Tipline 1-800-FORCE-12 (1-800-367-2312) 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Released: Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 5:30 p.m.

Original release below

DSP News Release: Troopers at Scene of Suspicious Package

Location: Wawa Convenience Store, 1515 N. DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE

Date of Occurrence:  Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 12:00 p.m.

Resume: 

New Castle, DE- The Delaware State Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Unit has responded to the scene of a suspicious package that was left at the gas pumps of the Wawa Convenience Store located in the 1500 block of N. DuPont Highway in New Castle. At this time as a precautionary measure, troopers have evacuated the Wawa as well as the Parkway Shopping Center located directly south of the Wawa.

US Rt. 13 northbound at Boulden Boulevard as well as US Rt. 13 southbound at I-295 have been closed to traffic. Commuters are asked to find alternate means of travel around the area.

This incident is still being investigated at this time. More information will be released at a later time.

Released Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 2:20 p.m.