State Police Robot Determines Suspicious Bag Not Explosive

The State Police Bomb Squad was called to Tewksbury Monday evening after a large, suspicious looking bag was spotted next to the railroad tracks near 1600 Shawsheen St.

And while the contents of the bag proved not to be explosive, they may be related to criminal activity.

Police received a call regarding the bag at around 6:45 p.m. from an employee of Holt & Bugbee, a company located across the street.

According to Tewksbury Police Sgt. Tim Kelly, the bag was significantly larger than a backpack and was in an upright position.

Shawsheen Street was shut down from East Street to Vale Street, approximately a half mile, as police created a perimeter at the scene, according to a Tewksbury Police spokesman.

A Code Red message  was sent out, informing residents in the vicinity about the situation. Law enforcement officials at the scene were advised to limit cell phone use.

The bomb squad brought with them a robot, created by I-Robot of Burlington, specifically designed to examine the interior of suspicious packages. The robot X-Rayed the bag and it was determined the contents were not dangerous.

According to Kelly, when the bag was opened, it was found to be filled with railroad spikes and scrap metal. While it's possible that the bag may have been left there by railroad employees, Kelly said he believes it is more likely the bag was left there by a person who had been illegally gathering the railroad spikes to sell as scrap and then found the bag too heavy to carry.

The bag was whisked away by officers from the Railroad Police, who would not allow it to be photographed.

Shawsheen Street was re-opened to traffic after about an hour.