Longview police and bomb squad experts have removed a suspicious device from a newspaper stand at an IHOP in Longview, and have declared the situation safe. Police say the bomb squad determined the device was part of the mechanical workings of the newspaper machine. All streets in the area, and both IHOP and Lubys restaurants are back open.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Longview police are investigating a “bomb-like” device found inside a newspaper stand outside an IHOP on Loop 281, according to Longview Police Information officer Kristie Brian. Bomb experts from Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport are reportedly on their way to Longview to assist the police in identifying the object.

UPDATE: Officers have reportedly utilized a robot to move toward the newspaper stand and attempt to remove and inspect the device.

Brian says as a pre-caution the Lubys restaurant located behind the IHOP has also been evacuated. A large part of Loop 281, from Judson Road to McCann, has been closed.

The device was discovered by a patron around 7 a.m.

Users on Facebook have described the scene outside the restaurant, which has been evacuated. We will update with more information as it becomes available.

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