No Threat From Unattended Briefcase Left At Ogilvie Center

CHICAGO, IL — An unattended briefcase at the Ogilvie Transportation Center prompted a call Wednesday morning to the Chicago police bomb squad and a hazardous material team, and trains were prevented from entering and leaving the Metra station. Nothing posing a threat was found in the bag, and service was restored.

Authorities were called about the luggage just before 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 16, according to NBC 5. Metra wouldn't confirm if the station had been evacuated, but video from Fox 32 Chicago shows people exiting and waiting outside the building at 500 W. Madison St.

According to Chicago police, the briefcase was left by a man who placed it near the train tracks before walking away, the Chicago Tribune reports. The man also told an employee at the station he no longer wanted the briefcase and that worker then called 911, the report added.

"While today’s threat wasn't bona fide, it is a reminder of why our public safety teams constantly prepare for active situations and train together," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement following the incident. "I want to commend the Police Department, Fire Department, OEMC and Metra for responding rapidly and coordinating cohesively. And I want to thank the individual who saw something suspicious and said something to authorities. Today is proof that when residents and law enforcement work together, Chicago is safer and stronger."

Investigators will try to identify the man from video footage and locate him for questioning, the Tribune reports. Police found a camera, cellphone and an ID inside the briefcase, the report added.

Metra resumed train service at around 12:30 p.m. The rail agency said passengers could still see delays but didn't expect them to extend to rush hour.

More via the Chicago Tribune and NBC 5 Chicago

Ogilvie Transportation Center (Image via Google Earth)