Propane Tank Thrown Under Boston Police Cruiser In 'Deliberate Act'
BOSTON (CBS/AP) – Boston Police have released surveillance images of a person of interest after a propane tank exploded under a cruiser Friday morning.
Police said the person was walking and intentionally threw the device under the cruiser which was located on West Broadway in South Boston.
The officer was able to quickly move the cruiser, and after doing so the propane tank exploded.
No one was injured.
The Boston Police Department bomb squad was called in to investigate.
Boston Police Commissioner William Evans said the item was a propane tank. Evans called the incident a "deliberate act."
"Clearly someone set this deliberately to blow up one of our cruisers," said Evans. "Thank god we were able to get anyone out of the way and pull the cruiser out before it did explode."
Police released a surveillance image of a person they are looking to identify in connection with the incident. The person is wearing a jacket with a large hood and may have been driving a dark Toyota sedan.
The FBI is also involved in the investigation.
"We are postured to provide any resources that are needed and we are working closely with the Boston Police Department in identifying who is responsible," the FBI said in a statement.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said there is no evidence suggesting that the explosion was connected to the presidential inauguration ceremonies happening in Washington, D.C. for Donald Trump.
"Just really grateful that no one got hurt today," said Walsh. "This is certainly not something that we want to see happen any day of the year, and even today more so with the new president coming in. So I'm hoping nothing is connected there."
Police have not yet made any arrests.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports
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