Roads were closed and other precautionary measures were taken Tuesday morning after police were called to investigate a suspicious beeping sound coming from inside a mailbox in Pittsburgh’s Brighton Heights neighborhood.

Authorities responded before 6:30 a.m. to the intersection of Brighton Road and Benton Avenue. The Pittsburgh police Bomb Squad was eventually requested to assist in investigating a “suspicious beeping” sound coming from inside a blue U.S. Postal Service mailbox, according to city police spokesman Chris Togneri. Nearly two hours later, investigators discovered the sound was coming from a device used to scan mail that a mail carrier had left inside.

The Bomb Squad used a remotely-operated robot to determine the source of the beeping, police said. The robot opened the mail box and showed what was inside using a mounted camera.

The beeping sound indicated low battery power, “not a threat,” Mr. Togneri said.

Residents in the area were instructed to shelter in place and multiple roads in the area were closed while emergency officials responded, police said.

Roads were reopened by 8:20 a.m.

First Published: July 14, 2020, 2:19 p.m.