Suspicious Vehicle Prompts Police Response At American Dream Mall

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — There was a suspicious vehicle parked at American Dream mall Tuesday night, and that's what prompted NJ State Police to send out a mass text alert warning people to avoid or evacuate the mall.

Shortly before 8 p.m. Tuesday, State Police sent out a mass text alert Tuesday evening, warning people to avoid American Dream, and telling people inside the mall to immediately evacuate the mall.

However, the vehicle was checked by law enforcement and deemed to be safe, said State Police and a spokesman for the mall.

As of 8:45 p.m., the scene is all clear and the mall has resumed normal operations, he said.

At approximately 5:31 p.m. Tuesday, American Dream security observed a Tesla legally parked on the ground level of the C parking deck, with the driver’s side door left open and unattended, said State Police. As part of the their protective measures, two American Dream police dogs conducted initial sweeps of the vehicle, which resulted in a positive alert.

Out of an abundance of caution, American Dream was evacuated. After the evacuation, two more police dogs, from Bergen County and State Police, performed subsequent sweeps, which also produced a positive alert.

The State Police Bomb Unit and Bergen County Bomb Unit responded, thoroughly cleared the Tesla and found no indication of any explosives.

Secaucus Mayor Mike Gonnelli said State Police also called Secaucus Police in as back-up and Secaucus Police also responded to the mall, along with canine units.