What threatened to pose a risk of explosion turned out to be benign on Tuesday, but the Sheboygan Police Department took no chances.
The Sheboygan County Dispatch Center had received the report of a suspicious item in the 1300 block of New York Avenue at 8:43 a.m., and immediately undertook the evacuation of those living nearby. Out of an abundance of caution, police also closed North 14th Street / State Highway 28 between Pennsylvania and Wisconsin Avenues for the better part of the day. The item in question drew a response from the Milwaukee County Explosives and Ordnance Disposal unit, which specializes in handling such threats in Southeastern Wisconsin.
That team was able to safely assess the device, and determined that no explosives were involved and that there was no danger to the public.
Investigation into the situation led to a suspect, a 42-year-old Sheboygan man, who was arrested and will be referred to the Sheboygan County District Attorney’s Office for various offenses.
Besides the Sheboygan Police Department, assistance was given by the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, Milwaukee County Explosives and Ordnance Disposal Unit, Sheboygan Fire Department, Sheboygan Department of Public Works, and Shoreline Metro. The SPD also thanked the public for its patience while a main artery through Sheboygan was interrupted by the event.
(The original story and update are below)
”Update (3/4/25 at 1250pm): 14th St has reopened to traffic. The intersection of 13th and Wisconsin is still closed and the 1300 block of New York Ave is still closed.”) The original story follows:
An incident of unidentified nature prompted Sheboygan Police to block off the area of North 14th Street and New York Avenue this morning. The announcement, made shortly after 9 a.m., requested that people avoid the area, and that the intersection was being temporarily blocked off. Northbound traffic was being detoured via Pennsylvania Avenue to 10th Street, while Southbound 14th Street was closed at Wisconsin Avenue, detoured to 15th Street.
North 14th Street Blocked at Pennsylvania Avenue, Sheboygan on Thursday by Sheboygan Police. WHBL News Photo
No explanation was given, but WHBL News reported that the Milwaukee County Explosives and Ordnance Disposal unit was on-site. The division “responds throughout Southeastern Wisconsin for requests regarding explosives, suspicious packages and other specialized calls for service” according to its website.
WHBL will report any developments as they become available.
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