Suspicious package left at Westlake/MacArthur Park Station cleared

WESTLAKE DISTRICT, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A suspicious package left on the tracks at the Westlake/MacArthur Park Station Thursday night turned out to be two large plastic bags filled with clothing, food and paperwork.

Service on Metro's Red Line was halted between the Wilshire/Vermont and Seventh Street/Metro Center stations and on the Purple Line between the Wilshire/Vermont and Wilshire/Western station shortly before 7 p.m. after a man allegedly jumped onto the tracks and left the suspicious package before jumping back onto the platform and fleeing the scene.

Power to the tracks was briefly cut off as sheriff's deputies investigated, according to Ramon Montenegro of the sheriff's Transit Services Bureau. The station was reopened and normal operations resumed at about 8:50 p.m.

Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies are using surveillance camera footage to track the suspect down.