Yahoo News Bomb Scare On Boston Attack Anniversary
Two unattended bags have been destroyed near the finish line of the Boston Marathon - one year to the day after three people were killed by a pair of bombs at the same location.
Police have arrested a suspect in connection with the incident, which saw hundreds of people evacuated.
The man had a rice cooker in his backpack and has been charged with possessing a hoax device.
Reports said the rice cooker was filled with confetti, but the incident rattled nerves just days ahead of this year's marathon.
"With the marathon coming, our officers are taking it seriously," Police Superintendent Randall Halstead said.
"The safety of the public is utmost."
The suspect was identified by his mother as 25-year-old Kevin "Kayvon" Edson.
Joie Edson said her son has bipolar disorder.
Mr Halstead said the suspect was stopped by an officer who saw him acting suspiciously, before the man dropped the bag.
Video shot with a mobile phone showed the suspect walking down the street barefoot and dressed in all black.
He can be heard shouting, "Boston Strong!", a phrase adopted by the city in the wake of last year's deadly attack.
Edson also faces charges of disturbing the peace and disorderly conduct. He is due in court on Wednesday.
The second suspicious backpack was later determined to have been accidentally left behind by a media outlet as police ushered people from the scene.
People were told to avoid the area and trains bypassed the nearby Copley Square station.
The scare came just hours after relatives took part in ceremonies marking the first anniversary of the deadly attack , which left more than 260 people injured.
The families of the three people killed, along with relatives of MIT police officer Sean Collier, who was killed days later in a shoot-out with the suspects, attended the ceremonies.
Vice President Joe Biden and other dignitaries also participated in a day of tributes.
A total of 36,000 runners are scheduled to take part in the 2014 marathon on Monday.
