Updated on Jan. 13 at 5:36 p.m. The bomb scare in Hollywood was called off after the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Arson/Explosives Detail identified the “suspicious packages as containing clothing only,” the Sheriff’s Department tweeted.
Previously…
A portion of Hollywood Boulevard was closed to traffic Tuesday, after two suspicious packages were found near the Hollywood & Highland shopping center, according the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The packages were found at the Hollywood-Highland Red Line Metro station, which runs under the shopping complex, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Department told TheWrap.
The Metro station was evacuated as a result of the incident. Los Angeles television station KTLA also posted a picture of a bomb squad vehicle outside the Hollywood & Highland complex on its website and Twitter feed.
Police were called to the scene around 2:24 p.m. after an anonymous caller reported a suspicious package at the Metro station, KTLA reported.
The Hollywood & Highland structure houses the Dolby Theatre, where the Academy Awards are held. It was unclear if the entire complex was being evacuated, but dozens of people could be seen standing outside of the facility on the local news.
On Feb. 22, the biggest stars in the movie industry will gather at the location for the 87th Academy Awards.
City News Service contributed to this report.
Report of suspicious pkg shuts down Hollywood/Highland station; LASD bomb squad responding http://t.co/aFTXlkmjJV pic.twitter.com/XLIsU2j60d
— KTLA (@KTLA) January 14, 2015
JUST IN: Suspicious package forces evacuation of Hollywood-Highland Red Line station http://t.co/D32UVvZO2b pic.twitter.com/OoijGu8bef
— NBC Los Angeles (@NBCLA) January 13, 2015
Traffic in the area of Hollywood/Highland is being diverted due to suspicous package investigation. #LASD #AEDRedLine
— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) January 14, 2015
Red Line suspended between Universal/Studio City and Hollywood/Highland due to police activity http://t.co/FmPyabzdkJ
— Metro Los Angeles (@metrolosangeles) January 13, 2015