Subway, Roads Reopened After Suspicious Package Scare

A suspicious package was found at the 71st/Continental Avenue subway stop Tuesday morning, shutting down traffic on Queens Boulevard and rerouting trains in the area. 

After an investigation, police deemed the item safe, but not before snarling traffic and shutting down transportation in the area in the interest of protecting commuters.

According to police, an unattended black suitcase was left at the bottom of the station stairs on the north side of the street.

The call for the abandoned suitcase came in at around 10:15 a.m., and police immediately moved into action from the nearby 112 Precinct, closing all access roads to the area.

Police said no arrests have been made in connection with the suspicious package, and no one has yet been detained for questioning. 

The roads and subway station were reopened to the public shortly after 11 a.m. 

The potential threat was the second time in three days that commuters and shoppers near Austin Street and Queens Boulevard had a scare. Late Saturday night, a homeless man went on a slashing spree in the area, injuring three.