Jonathan Lai, Inquirer Staff Writer Posted: Sunday, January 27, 2013, 3:01 AM A man who threatened to blow up the Liberty Bell was detained Saturday after leaving two backpacks nearby that he said contained explosives, police said. Police said they found no explosives.

The man was expected to be charged, Philadelphia police spokeswoman Officer Christine O'Brien said. He had not been publicly identified Saturday night, pending the formal filing of charges, O'Brien said.

A police source said the man was not from the Philadelphia area and did not appear to have a criminal record.

Sometime before 10:45 a.m. Saturday, National Park Service rangers stopped the man after receiving reports that he was threatening to blow up the Liberty Bell.

Two black backpacks were found in front of the Liberty Wheels wheelchair and scooter rental shop at 714 Market St. a half-block away.

Police arrived around 10:45 a.m. and closed off Market Street between Seventh and Eighth Streets.

Shortly after, a member of the Philadelphia Police Department bomb squad began examining the backpacks. The results came back negative for hazards, a bomb squad officer said.

Market Street reopened to pedestrians and traffic around 11:45 a.m. The Liberty Bell remained open throughout.

Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also responded.

Special Agent Frank Burton Jr., spokesman for the FBI's Philadelphia division, said the joint investigation was being conducted by Philadelphia police and the FBI because the Liberty Bell is a federal landmark.

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Liberty Bell threatened