Bomb team investigates items left on Amtrak train in Berkeley

Train traffic through Berkeley is halted pending the investigation.

Bomb team investigates items left on Amtrak train in Berkeley
An Amtrak train in Berkeley (file photo). Paul Sullivan

A local bomb team has been called in to investigate suspicious items left on an Amtrak train in Berkeley on Wednesday evening, authorities report.

The Scanner has asked Amtrak for details and will update this story when the transit agency responds.

Amtrak's Capitol Corridor Train 540 was stopped in Berkeley as of 5:06 p.m., according to 511.

That followed a call to Berkeley police at 4:48 p.m. about a suspicious circumstance at the Amtrak station, which is located under the University Avenue overpass just west of Fourth Street at 700 University Ave.

Berkeley police said passengers left luggage or other items on the train, causing concern.

A bomb team has now been called in as officers help with containment, the department said.

Authorities have also called in a dog from UC Berkeley or BART to help with the investigation.

As of 6:30 p.m., two people had been detained. No other details were immediately available.

Update, 6:45 p.m. Amtrak has confirmed that authorities are checking on unattended luggage on the train.

Trains can't pass through Berkeley until the investigation is complete.

Stay tuned for updates.

This story was updated after publication as additional details became available.

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