Breaking: Suspicious Package Removed from Downtown Charleston

(Updates below)As reported by Charleston.net:

Charleston police around noon today removed a "highly suspicious" package found in the bushes between the sidewalk and the parking lot at the Bell South building at 180 Calhoun St.

The package was described as a small bag attached by wires to a cell phone with its antenna raised.

A dog trained to detect explosives examined the package and didn't detect anything unusual. The bomb squad's robot was sent in afterward. Police then took the device to an undisclosed location.

Police closed a section of Calhoun along with Bull and Pitt streets as well as parts of Vanderhorst, George and King streets and Rutledge Avenue.

Just before noon, police ordered onlookers to take cover

.

Is this a hoax? One can only hope...

Update-Appears to have been a hoax, according to the Post & Courier:

Authorities said Friday night that they had determined there was no explosive incendiary device and that the public was in no danger. They would not elaborate.The experience left some students shaken.

While I'm glad it wasn't a real bomb, this should be a wake-up call for Charleston First Responders, if the recent Goose Creek Incident isn't enough. We've been mostly spared any attacks or threats like some of the larger cities up north, but dare not be complacent. In this new globalised war, no one is safe.

Update 2-A local blogger writes "This is on the same block where I work every day. I work in the Bellsouth Building that they are talking about. Just the other day we received an e-mail about how people are now sending in e-mail bomb threats."