Man in custody for smoke bomb thrown at state rep.'s office

A 21-year-old man is being questioned after police found two dangerous devices in West Oak Lane, including one thrown at the campaign office of state Rep. Dwight Evans, officials said.

Police initially responded to Evans' office on Limekiln Pike near Walnut Lane around 4:30 p.m. for report of a suspicious device. Police said a bottle containing a green liquid was thrown at the window, but did not break the glass. Evans was in Harrisburg at the time. Two staff members who were in the office were not harmed, authorities said.

The second device was found at about three blocks away from Evans' office at Simons Community Recreation Center, located on Woolston Avenue near Middleton Street. Police said a bottle containing a green liquid was found in the men's restroom inside the recreation center.

Chief Inspector Scott Small said that in both cases the substance was placed in a 20-ounce clear, plastic water bottle. Bomb technicians said the green liquid was a caustic substance that could burn the skin, according to Small.

After interviewing witnesses, police took a 21-year-old man into custody, Small said. The suspect is being questioned at Northwest Detectives, but has not been charged.

"Right now he's just a suspect," Small said. "There's also witnesses being questioned. It's an ongoing investigation."