“Suspicious” Package Snarls Portions of Loop

A "suspicious" package found on the third floor of a Loop building caused a major headache for commuters Wednesday afternoon.

Portions of the Citadel Center, in the 100 block of South Dearborn Street, were evacuated and nearby streets were blocked off for more than five hours.

Police Bomb & Arson Section Cmdr. Eugene Roy addressed the media about 8 p.m. and said the package was not a threat. He did not elaborate on what was inside the package or how it was destroyed.

Employees of a bank on the third floor became alarmed when they could see wires coming from the package, Roy said.

Those employees called 911 and both police and fire crews responded, ultimately evacuating the second, third and fourth floors of the building, he said.

Both Red Line and Blue trains were also bypassing the Monroe Station because of the police activity.