New York City’s Times Square has been partially evacuated after a mysterious container was thrown at folks enjoying the area’s famous ‘red steps’.

UPDATE: Police has certified that it was nothing dangerous, said it was all clear, according to Detective Sophia Mason.

At 12:13 p.m., police received a report of a suspicious package.

A metal container appears to have been thrown at the outdoor seating area by someone, possibly on a bicycle. It appears to be a tin of cookies at first glance, but the NYPD bomb squad is working to get a closer look, reports ABC

Police checked out the container as a precaution giving the ongoing situation near the U.S. Capitol, the sources said – adding that a private security dog sniffed the container and sat down, an unusual reaction that prompted an extra response.

Roughly three blocks of Times Square were evacuated, from 45th to 48th Streets along Seventh Avenue.

Sources in law enforcement have initially told NBC New York that the object could be a harmless cookie tin, but extra precautions are being taken, considering the bomb threat already being investigated near the US Capitol in Washington DC.

EarthCam live feed shows New York police department in Times Square has blocked city streets and evacuated the area due to bomb threat.

The NYPD is acting with extreme caution right now, owing to ongoing events in the Capitol as well as increased concern about security in Afghanistan.

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Times Square Evacuation Today