A New Jersey construction worker caused a scare at an NYPD tow pound Monday when he showed up to claim his vehicle – and told workers there was radioactive material inside, authorities said.
A black Ford owned by Vincente Pena was towed from 403 West 48th Street near Ninth Avenue to the Pier 76 pound at West 38th Street and Twelfth Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen.
When he showed up to retrieve it about 3:30 p.m., Pena told workers that he had stowed a “soil density gauge” in the vehicle, and that the device contained some radioactive material.
Panicked pound workers called the FDNY, who dispatched a hazmat team that determined the tool was not dangerous, had been properly stored and posed no threat to anyone.
Pena was not charged and got his vehicle back.