FBI: Driver of car with strange message about Russia written on side surrenders

Credit: WPXI.com

Credit: WPXI.com

The person who drove a car up to the back gate of the FBI's office in Pittsburgh's South Side and left it there has been found, authorities said Friday.

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"He voluntarily turned himself in to the FBI this morning and appears to be suffering from an unknown mental illness," an FBI Pittsburgh spokesperson said in a statement.

A bomb squad was called, and FBI agents worked with Pittsburgh police on the investigation into the incident, which was reported shortly before 5 a.m. Thursday.

The car, which was parked in front of a gate to an entrance behind the building, had writing on the driver’s side. It said: “Russia plants micro radio devices in ppls ears and controls them using a sound similar to a dog whistle. Subliminal hypnosis.”

Investigators and a K-9 first searched around the car. Once the bomb squad arrived at the scene, a robot was used to inspect the car.

After the bomb squad cleared the car, it was towed from the scene for evidence.

Channel 11 News confirmed the driver was seen on surveillance parking the brightly colored vehicle before walking away toward East Carson Street.

East Carson Street remained open throughout the investigation.

FBI officials said out of an abundance of caution, the nearby Steelers’ UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Propel Schools Administrative Offices and Center for Victims were notified of the situation.

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