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Suspicious Device Shuts Down Goldenwest In Westminster

WESTMINSTER (CBS) — Authorities evacuated people from businesses and homes and shut down a portion of Goldenwest Street after finding a suspicious device in front of a transmission shop.

The object was reported by a worker at Plaza Muffler, 13284 Goldenwest St., at about 11 a.m., Westminster police Cpl. Van Woodson said. Goldenwest was closed in both directions between Garden Grove Boulevard and Trask Avenue.

The device was made safe but the thoroughfare remained closed as investigators continue to figure out what the object is, Woodson said.

The Plaza Muffler workers told investigators a white man between 60 and 70 years old stuffed the suspicious pipe-shaped device into part of the auto shop's signs in front, Woodson said. The employee said it looked like a pipe bomb.

Goldenwest is mostly made up of businesses, but there are some residence along the street, Woodson said. People within 300 feet of the object were evacuated from stores and homes.

Nearby Fryberger Elementary School at 6952 Hood Drive was determined to be far enough away to be safe and classes were not disrupted, Woodson said.

The Orange County bomb squad was called about 11:50 a.m.

(©2010 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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