New York police respond to ‘suspicious package’ in Manhattan

New York City’s Police Department (NYPD) was responding to reports of a “suspicious package” found in Manhattan on Thursday, following a series of suspected pipe bombs sent to high-profile Democrats and critics of U.S. President Donald Trump.

“Please avoid the area and expect a police presence and heavy traffic,’’ the NYPD wrote on Twitter.

It was unclear whether the incident was linked to suspected package bombs intercepted in the U.S. this week, which were sent to Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton, former President Barack Obama, said broadcaster CNN and others.

Read Also: Potential explosives sent to White House, Hillary Clinton, Obama

Broadcaster NBC news said Thursday’s discovery was made at a site linked to Robert De Niro, citing a local law enforcement official.

The actor owns a restaurant in Manhattan’s upmarket Tribeca neighbourhood, where the package was found, and has been critical of Trump in the past.

Television footage showed a heavy police presence in the area.

De Niro cursed the president on national television during the Tony Awards in June, saying “Fuck Trump” with his fist in the air.

Trump retaliated by calling the 75-year-old veteran actor a “very low IQ individual.”