This story was updated at 3:40 p.m.
Salem police said a suspicious bag reported late Thursday morning in downtown Salem posed no danger and contained personal belongings, including a sleeping bag.
Around 11:15 a.m., police received a report of a suspicious bag outside a vacant retail building in the 300 block of High Street Northeast, according to a police department news release.
“Officers watched a security video showing a man in tan clothing walk by the suite and drop the bag against the building and walk away hurriedly,” the release said.
Bomb squad members determined the bag contained no explosives, and had a sleeping bag, flashlight and “other miscellaneous belongings,” the release said.
Nearby offices were evacuated during the investigation, the release said.
Police shut down High Street Northeast between Center Street Northeast and Chemeketa Street Northeast, and Chemeketa Street Northeast between High Street Northeast and Church Street Northeast during the investigation, according to tweets posted by the department shortly after noon.
Roads were reopened around 1:30 p.m.
-Ardeshir Tabrizian
