MONTICELLO – “How are you doing Ishmael?” read a note
attached to a boom box AM/FM/cassette player with wires protruding that
was left along the side of Route 42 near the Route 17 overpass in Monticello
Thursday morning. The state transportation worker that found the device
at 8:15 a.m. called the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office to report
it.
Police blocked off a portion of Route 42 during the investigation
Deputies responded to the scene and found the black box with several
coils of wire attached to the rear along with the note. They cordoned
off the area and call the State Police Hazardous Device Unit. A bomb sniffing
K-9 responded, examined the packed and officers decided to detonate it
in place using a water-powered cannon to smash it up, thereby disabled
it.
Upon examination, it was determined that it did not contain any explosives.
Undersheriff Eric Chaboty said in today’s post 911-era, authorities
must take all precautions and investigate all possibilities including
the intent of the note left with the box.
