Crime & Safety

UPDATE: HazMat Crews Find Suspected Toxic Substance in Hatboro

The search came the day after a Hatboro man was charged with attempted murder for allegedly mailing the toxin ricin to a romantic rival.

HazMat crews were back in Hatboro Thursday evening, and found a suspected toxic substance.

The substance was found in a sealed package, the Bucks County District Attorney's Office said. The package was found under the cover of a gas main shut-off valve on South New Street, NBC reported, near the Bybery Street home of Nicholas Todd Helman.

Helman, 19, was arrested Wednesday and charged with attempted murder after police said he mailed a card laced with the toxin ricin to a romantic rival. 

HazMat crews returned to the area on Thursday acting on a tip that an additional amount of the toxin was in the area. There were concerns Thursday that Helman may have dumped some remaining ricin down a manhole cover, as NBC reported, but both Hatboro Police and the Bucks County District Attorney's Office said that was not the case.

"News reports that ricin was dumped in the water in Hatboro are incorrect," the Bucks County District Attorney's Office said.

Though a suspected toxic substance was found, there was no danger to the public, police said. 

"This evidence was located, packaged, sealed and transported for analysis. HazMat officials have determined the scene is safe and all residents may resume normal activities," the Hatboro Police Department said in a statement.

"There is no danger to the public," the Bucks County District Attorney's Office said.


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