Cop Car Bomb Alert, Police Car could be Stolen for Terrorists Activity

6/20/02
NEW YORK - NYPD and FDNY officials were warned that police
cars, fire trucks and ambulances may be used by terrorists as
high-speed bombs after two Middle Eastern men tried to buy 
an ambulance this month.

According to a law enforcement source, two unidentified men 
recently went to a northern New Jersey shop that specializes in
building replica ambulances and police cars. When the men
produced the cash, the owner refused, and the men quickly left. 
The owner then alerted authorities.

"If a terrorist got their hands on one of these vehicles, it would
be an ideal way for them to get in somewhere," said a high-ranking 
law enforcement official. "This is a real concern. Terrorists in 
Israel have used ambulances to sneak suicide bombers into areas." 

Police spokesman Michael O'Looney would not comment on the threat, 
but said police have been on a continued heightened state of alert 
since Sept.11.

The NYPD and the FDNY have alerted rank-and-file members to 
closely watch all official department vehicles.

"We've been told to watch our vehicles, all our vehicles," said a fire 
department source. "It's the vehicles that can get into areas that we 
are really concerned about. Who is not going to let a patrol car pass, 
or an ambulance, especially if we are in a state of emergency?"


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Backup news staff writer Stacey Opland


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