Bomb Scare in Macy's Parking Garage Evacuates Area in Downtown Salem

Suspicious Device causes alarm; downtown department store; other areas near Marion & High evacuated during bomb squad response.

Video and photo by Jerry Freeman Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Salem Police Bomb Squad responded to a report of a suspicious device on the first floor of the Macy's department store parking structure. Salem Police Lt. Jim Anglemier says officers rolled onto the scene at approximately 4:55 p.m.

"Officers responded to a report of a suspicious package located on the first floor parking structure of 'Macy's', 400 High St. NE. Responding officers found a duffel bag with an antenna sticking out of, which had been reported by a store employee."

What made this call unusual was the description of the device; Lt. Jim Anglemier told Salem-News.com. The suspect went to some effort to make the suspected bomb look real.

"The suspicious package had been made to look like an actual explosive device by an unknown person's."

Anglemier says a follow up investigation is underway by the bomb team.

He says they didn't detonate it or disassemble the device; explaining that the bomb squad has different techniques; that are based on location and other circumstances. A blast was heard in downtown Salem.

Anglemier could not specify the exact occurrence that caused it, saying it was something the bomb team deemed necessary to render the situation safe.

"As a safety precaution, 'Macy's' was evacuated at 5:20 p.m., and the parking structured closed off. At 6:50 p.m., Center Street NE, between High Street and Church Street NE was closed as the Bomb Squad dealt with the suspicious package. By 7:20 p.m., the Bomb Squad determined the suspicious package was not real and declared the area safe."

At 7:25 p.m. Lt. Anglemier said, employee's and customers were being allowed back into 'Macy's', and Center Street NE was re-opened for normal traffic flow.

Anyone with information of who may be involved in placing the suspicious package are asked to call Salem Police Dispatch at 503-588-6123.