'Suspicious Device' Was Speaker, Police Confirm

The "suspicious" item that caused much anxiety in downtown Hellertown Wednesday night was actually "an external speaker with a blue LED (light) in it that is used for cell phone or video gaming," borough police have confirmed in a news release.

Following the discovery of the item around 9 p.m., Main Street was cordoned off and authorities set up a command post in the parking lot of Braveheart Highland Pub and Restaurant, 430 Main St., near the intersection where it was found.

The restaurant and nearby homes were evacuated, as Dewey Fire Company No. 1 was opened as a temporary shelter and Route 412 traffic was detoured onto Front and Northampton streets.

After the Bethlehem Hazardous Device Unit—also known as the bomb squad—arrived at the scene, police said they deployed a remote-controlled robot that is used to investigate suspicious items.

The bomb squad was able to determine that the item was not a bomb, but was, in fact, a speaker, police said.

Main Street was reopened and residents were allowed to return to their homes before 11 p.m.

In the news release, police said that other agencies assisting in the response included the Lower Saucon Township Police Department, Dewey Fire Company, Dewey EMS and Northampton County Emergency Management.