Stores within the area of the Cross Keys Commons shopping center were evacuated.
WASHINGTON TWP. -- A discovered suspicious beeping device shut down a South Jersey shopping center Friday night, authorities said.
Washington Township Police and emergency personnel responded around 9 p.m. to the Cross Keys Commons shopping center near Route 42 for reports of a suspicious device.
Officers blocked off the area in order to safely investigate the device, which police described as "having a loud beep."
The Gloucester County Sheriff's Office K9 Unit, as well as the prosecutor's office also responded to the scene.
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Stores within close proximity were evacuated, police said, and no injuries were reported.
The device was actually a theft deterrent device from one of the retail stores in the shopping center, police said.
Authorities followed all precautions to handle the situation.
Brittany Wehner may be reached at bwehner@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @brittanymwehner. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.