A suspicious object at Union Avenue and Monterey Street forced Bakersfield police to call out the bomb squad and shut down several nearby streets.

Eric Schimon, a bomb squad sergeant with the Bakersfield Police Department, says the initial call came in before 4:20 p.m. Thursday.

“Originally, we had received a call from a passerby who wanted to be anonymous that it, possibly, was ticking,” Schimon said.

He says police were then called to the scene.

“Based upon its position and stuff, they did not want to open it,” Schimon said. “So, what they did was that they called the bomb squad out, and the bomb squad responded – the whole team – and took a look at the package.”

Schimon says the roads were reopened before 6:30 p.m. after techs determined the package had no explosive properties or dangerous chemicals.

Police are urging people with more information to call (661) 327-7111.

– Anthony Pollreisz