A downtown White Plains block turned into an early-morning crime scene Monday after officers discovered a suspicious device outside an apartment building at 11 Odell Avenue. The Westchester County Bomb Squad rendered the device safe, and investigators reported no injuries. Federal agents later moved in, collecting evidence as the city kept part of Odell Avenue shut down. Two people of interest were being interviewed as the investigation continued.
Pre-dawn discovery and response
In a release, the White Plains Department of Public Safety said officers first responded around 4:28 a.m. to calls about a possible transformer explosion. At about 6:08 a.m., a White Plains officer spotted what appeared to be a small explosive device near the doorway of the apartment building at 11 Odell Avenue.
According to the department, the city’s Emergency Services Unit, working with the Westchester County Hazardous Devices Unit, rendered the device safe and turned it over to Westchester County police for further examination. Officials said they are interviewing two people of interest and urged anyone with information to call 914-422-6111 or submit tips through the department’s online portal.
Federal teams collect evidence
As reported by CBS News New York, FBI and ATF agents responded to the scene and collected evidence from an apartment at 11 Odell Avenue. Multiple agencies remained on site while police secured the perimeter and closed the street to traffic during the investigation, turning the usually quiet block into a tightly controlled zone.
Officials: no threat to public safety
In a statement to CBS News New York, the FBI said, “there is no threat to public safety.” Even so, the area across the block stayed restricted and some residents were told to shelter in place while investigators worked to sort out exactly what had been left at the building’s doorway and why.
Investigation ongoing; how to help
Per the White Plains Department of Public Safety, the department’s Criminal Investigation Division is continuing the probe with help from federal partners. Authorities are asking anyone with video, information, or tips to call 914-422-6111 or submit details online. Officials said they will release more information as it becomes available.
