The NYPD release images and video of a person wanted for questioning about a suspicious device left outside a home in Bay Ridge. Someone put a propane tank with a number pad and wire protruding outside retired firefighter Ed Green's house, rang the doorbell and ran away, causing chaos just after midnight yesterday.
Green told the Daily News that he called the police, who evacuated him, his wife, two adult children as well as neighbors, from homes.
Green called it "pretty bizarre," but added, "I've been through 9/11 so it was no big deal for me. I was worried about my wife and kids." Another neighbor felt it was pretty scary, "There was wires on it. It looked like some kind of timing device. To put wires on something to alarm somebody, it's just odd. I would like to think it was just some stupid prank someone thought was funny."
State Senator Martin Golden wasn't laughing, "These childish pranks are no laughing matter. During a time of grave concern, when everyone is on heightened alert, to divert police and public resources for a gag is a criminal act, and should be treated as such."
The person of interest, seen fleeing the scene of the incident, is described as an adult white male wearing dark clothing.
Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
Update: A 14-year-old was arrested for the hoax.
