Times Square briefly shuts down due to reports of suspicious package left outside NYPD substation

NEW YORK CITY (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - Police briefly shut down Times Square Monday morning due to reports of a suspicious package left outside of a New York Police Department (NYPD) substation, officials said.

A cylinder-style device was discovered around 10:30 a.m. Eastern in front of a midtown precinct substation front door, according to law enforcement.

Police cordoned off Seventh Avenue, between 42nd and 43rd Streets, to pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

The bomb squad was called out to investigate the device and ultimately deemed the object not to be a legitimate threat.

The NYPD building was evacuated out of a precaution, officials said.

Police officials gave the "all clear" shortly before noon and began working to reopen the Times Square area.

Police said video showed a man who reportedly left the "hoax" device in front of the police station. He was still being pursued as investigators deemed the situation all clear.