Nov 2, 2009 2:51 pm US/Pacific
Philadelphia Police Searching For 'Lover Of Sonia'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) ―
One person's bizarre declaration of love brought the bomb squad to Philadelphia's 30th Street Station on Monday, CBS station KYW-TV reported.
Moments after workers inside Amtrak's 30th St. Station train yard spotted a suspicious device at the base of a smokestack, police officers and fire units sealed off the area, discovering a battery powered timer at the base of the stack with wires extending upwards.
"With the atmosphere we live in today, coupled with the World Series here in Philadelphia, the site of that device would alarm anyone," Chief Inspector Joseph Sullivan explained.
However, after scrambling up ladders atop the building, startled officers did not find an explosive device, but instead a string of lights designed to flash the message: "I love you Sonia."
"Someone could have been seriously hurt out here today, but for a foolish prank," Sullivan said.
Police say the timer on the battery pack was apparently set to activate the lights.
Sullivan warned whoever slipped illegally into the city's busiest rail terminal to pull off the dangerous stunt is in big trouble.
"This is no joke, it's criminal behavior that's being investigated."
Investigators are attempting to determine how the individual was not spotted while pulling off the prank.
"We're going to make every effort to ID the suspect and when we do, we'll file the appropriate charges," Sullivan explained.
Amtrak officials said they are increasing security following the incident.
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