Video: Dallas police reopen downtown streets after suspicious package scare

Police closed streets for hours, locked down nearby areas and arrested one person.

A suspicious device in a black SUV rattled nerves and forced Dallas police to shut down streets in downtown Dallas around lunchtime Tuesday.

For several hours, the area around Lamar and Elm streets in downtown was cordoned off while the bomb squad investigated. Police reopened roads just before 2 p.m., but the disruption continued to affect downtown traffic hours later.

Police said a black Chevrolet Tahoe was parked at the intersection with what was considered a suspicious package. Video from above showed the Tahoe with its windows and trunk blown out and on the ground, while a Dallas Police explosive disposal team member wearing what appeared to be a hazmat suit and helmet searched the vehicle.

One witness described the tense scene as officers warned people to keep away from the SUV.

“It had its blinkers on, and the police were telling us, steer clear of the car, don't go near the car, don't touch the car,” said Mathylda Ndosima.

Later, as a police robot was sent in to investigate, others were left stranded nearby.

“We got stuck because the cops were all piled up there and we were waiting for someone to let us through,” said Ndosima.

Police blocked off roads while searching bags found in the truck, and a K-9 officer also swept the scene. A sword that appeared to have been pulled from the truck was seen propped up outside the vehicle.

A witness said the heavy police presence was frightening.

“They had someone in handcuffs, and then they had the cars locked down. It was actually really terrifying,” said.

The investigation also forced Dallas College’s El Centro campus into lockdown. DART’s Central Business District West End Transfer Center and West End Station were temporarily shut down as well.

While buses and trains were running again later in the day, DART said its shuttle buses were canceled for the rest of the day.

A witness said they saw a man in distress at the scene.

“There was a man that was, like, sitting down, too, and he was crying hysterically,” said Jamila B.

Police have not identified that person, but said they were charged with what officers called “obstructing the road.” Authorities are still warning of potential traffic delays and asking people to avoid the area.

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC DFW. AI tools helped convert the story into a digital article, and an NBC DFW journalist edited it again before publication.