Pipe bomb discovery prompts evacuation at Philly police station

LOGAN (WPVI) -- The discovery of a pipe bomb prompted an evacuation Saturday night at the Philadelphia Police 35th District.

Action News obtained a photo of the device that officials say wasn't more than 6 inches or so.

The incident occurred inside the police station located on the 5900 block of North Broad Street in the Logan section of Philadelphia.

Police say the Attorney General's Gun Violence Task Force brought in a suspect they were investigating for possible straw purchase.

During questioning at the 35th, police say the male suspect told them a gun was buried in the Northeast.

Officers retrieved the AK-47 in a garbage bag and brought it back to the district. When they opened the bag, they found what appeared to be a small pipe bomb at the bottom.

Fourteen prisoners and about 20 staff members were evacuated from the building, police say.

The Philadelphia Bomb Squad responded and quickly removed the device and detonated it elsewhere.

Lt. Jonah Conway tells us it wasn't ticking, and it's unclear if the device posed any threat.

As for the prisoners, most of them were placed in a van to be transported elsewhere, but because the bomb squad cleared the district so quickly, the prisoners were returned to their cells.

The investigation is being handled by the AG Gun Violence Task force. Our calls have not been returned.

At this time it is unknown if the suspect will face additional charges.