Springfield police investigating stolen car with possible explosives inside, Chestnut Expressway shut down
The Springfield Police Department, in conjunction with the Springfield Fire Department and the FBI, was investigating a stolen car with possible explosives inside that was left at the U.S. Post Office on Chestnut Expressway Wednesday evening, according to police.
According to Lt. Steve Schwind with the Springfield Police Department, on Wednesday investigators were tipped off that a wanted person from Massachusetts might be coming through the Springfield area in a stolen car.
Schwind said that officers tracked the suspect to the post office on Chestnut Expressway and took him into custody.
Investigators were also tipped off that the suspect might have explosives inside his vehicle. As a precaution, Schwind said Chestnut Expressway from Campbell to Main avenues was shut down and the post office was evacuated. Citizens were asked to avoid the area.
The Springfield Fire Department’s bomb squad was on the scene and a robot investigated the vehicle. After several hours, it was determined that no explosives were inside the vehicle and traffic returned to normal.
The suspect was arrested and taken to the Greene County Jail. Police say the 25-year-old will be extradited back to Massachusetts.
Jordan Meier covers public safety for the Springfield News-Leader. Contact her at jmeier@news-leader.com, or on Twitter @Jordan_Meier644.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Chestnut Expressway shut down as police investigate stolen car with possible explosives inside
