DEVELOPING STORY: Boston Police Seek Public’s Help After Suspicious Package Left Near Department Of Homeland Security Vehicle

Source: Boston Police Department.

EDITOR’S NOTE: There appears to be no evidence so far that the suitcase contained a bomb. Even so, the incident in Boston this morning shows that terrorism still is very much on the minds of police after the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013 and after the attack in San Bernardino, Calif., that killed 14 people on Dec. 2. Also: See 4:15 p.m. ET update below. Police have made an arrest and now are calling the subject a “suspect.” He earlier was called a “person of interest.”

This (left) is a photo of a man the Boston Police Department is trying to identify after someone reportedly “dropped a suitcase by the rear tire of a marked [U.S.] Department of Homeland Security vehicle then left the area in a hurry” at about 9:50 a.m. today.

The incident occurred in downtown Boston ” in the area of 408 Atlantic Avenue,” police said.

Authorities detonated the suitcase in an abundance of caution after observing wires inside of it, Chief William Evans says in this WVCB video.

“Officers are seeking the public’s assistance in locating and identifying the above person of interest in relation to this incident. Anyone with any information is asked to call District A-1 Detectives directly at (617) 343-4248,” the department said.

Streets in downtown Boston closed as police investigate a suspicious package: Atlantic Ave. at Northern Ave. pic.twitter.com/nPVgUV6vvV

— WCVB-TV Boston (@WCVB) December 4, 2015

UPDATE 4:15 P.M. ET U.S.A. Boston police say they and members of the Lawrence Police Department have arrested James Derepentigny, 50.

“He is charged with Planting a Hoax Device and will be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court,” police said.