Philadelphia
A motion detector discovered in a Philadelphia rail yard triggered a nationwide terrorist alert, but it turned out to be the work of a mechanic who liked to sneak naps. “It was in a perfect place if you wanted to get some sleep and be alerted if your boss is coming,” said James Jordan, transit security chief. Authorities, already jittery after the deadly March train bombings in Spain, had speculated that the infrared device might be intended to trigger a bomb. The FBI said that people had recently been spotted filming tracks between New York and Washington. Homeland Security officials have tightened rail security by removing trash cans that could conceal bombs and by using dogs to sniff for explosives.
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