AHWATUKEE, AZ — The Phoenix Fire Department has given the "all clear" after a suspicious substance was found on several political signs in the Ahwatukee area Tuesday morning.
Hazardous materials crews were first called to investigate a substance that was found at a Dignity Health location near 44th Street and Chandler Boulevard.
See video from the scene in the video player below:
Crews shut down Chandler Boulevard in both directions from 44th to 36th streets. Phoenix Fire Department says the area was shut down out of an abundance of caution.
A nearby retail area near 50th Street and Ray Road was also blocked off around 7:45 a.m. Tuesday with a large law enforcement presence that appeared to be related to the Dignity Health scene.
HAZMAT crews appeared to be inspecting a substance on political signs at several of the scenes. As of 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Phoenix police say the substance was deemed to be non-hazardous.
Tempe police say a 60-year-old man was arrested after these incidents.
Officials say the suspect was arrested for hanging "suspicious bags of white powder from several political signs lined with razor blades that he posted in Ahwatukee."
The man is also a suspect "in connection with three separate shooting incidents targeting the Democratic National Committee in Tempe that began in September."
Tempe police will have a press conference on Wednesday to speak more about the man's arrest.
