The Baltimore County Fire Department has reported that they are on the scene of a second suspicious van carrying 660 gallons of gasoline, hours after one holding 1,000 gallons was found in a parking structure .8 miles from where the House GOP is scheduled to host their retreat on Thursday.
The fire department tweeted that no explosives or hazards were found and that it appears to be related to a theft.
#bcofd// Hazmat // Ebenezer Rd & Pulaski Hwy// units on location for a report of a suspicious van carrying 660 gallons of fuel. No explosives or hazards found. Appears to be related to a theft. MDE on location. Fire dept units are clearing location. ^MJ
— Baltimore County Fire Department (@BaltCoFire) September 9, 2019
The department is clearing the area and has not stated whether or not there is any connection to the van found earlier in the day.
President Trump will be attending the 2019 House Republican Conference Member Retreat in the city later this week, a six minute drive from where the first van was located.
Van Packed With A 1,000 Gallons Of Gas Found Ahead Of Trump’s Visit To Baltimore https://t.co/lRvDx0RCEU pic.twitter.com/ihZp7czVgd
— HEDGE energy (@HEDGEenergy) September 9, 2019
Sources say the suspicious material inside a vehicle in a parking garage in downtown Baltimore are containers of gasoline pic.twitter.com/uzEr3DEP6P
— Jayne Miller (@jemillerwbal) September 9, 2019
More on suspicious vehicle in downtown Baltimore parking garage..police and building sources say a van entered the garage early this a.m and parked..security later smelled gasoline. Police saw containers of gasoline inside and initiated an investigation pic.twitter.com/ZTpIjYLaic
— Jayne Miller (@jemillerwbal) September 9, 2019
Just observed..Customs and Border Protection agents just arrived at command post for investigation of van with containers of gasoline inside a downtown parking garage pic.twitter.com/ZD8fVvp9bz
— Jayne Miller (@jemillerwbal) September 9, 2019
Update: city official tells me law enforcement is doing a final sweep of buildings around parking garage where suspicious vehicle is parked. If they don’t find anything, all clear will be given about 4pm
— Jayne Miller (@jemillerwbal) September 9, 2019
— Jayne Miller (@jemillerwbal) September 9, 2019
MDE tells me two bins in van held 80 gallons of diesel fuel. Van has PA tag https://t.co/ceZeEpYrwF
— Jayne Miller (@jemillerwbal) September 9, 2019
“‘No bomb’ found in van with 1,000 gallons of gas in downtown Baltimore parking garage” https://t.co/PcMZrhyttb
— Steve Lookner (@lookner) September 9, 2019
A search by a police robot turned up a device used for stealing diesel fuel.
Police were called to the parking garage of 100 E. Pratt St., where the T. Rowe Price office is, around 11 a.m. on Monday morning about the first van.
“After several hours of investigating a suspicious vehicle, no bomb was detected,” Baltimore Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young tweeted. “We are currently in the process of conducting precautionary sweeps in an effort to ensure public safety. These sweeps are expected to take several hours.”
Mayor Young asked that people remain outside the evacuated area and find alternate transportation to get home. He said that he will send out an update when people are able to pick up their vehicles.
No motive or explanation for the vehicle has been announced at this time.
The city police are being assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.