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Pittsburgh Bomb Squad Busy with Anti-Theft Devices

Pittsburgh's bomb squad has been busy overnight responding to three reports of suspicious devices found along city streets that turned out to be loss-prevention devices, perhaps discarded as shoplifters drove away.

The first call came in just after 11 p.m. Thursday, and two more were reported Friday morning.

The plastic devices, which are equipped to beep and which hang from retail products by a small wire, were found wrapped in foil — which, at first, made them appear more suspicious.

But now police believe the foil may have been wrapped around the devices to keep them from sounding shoplifting alarms.

Because all three devices were found in a half-mile area, police believe someone may have thrown them from a passing car.

Police say they're glad the public is vigilant about reporting suspicious devices, however.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.