Police are searching for a man suspected of holding up a hotel in Hawthorne Friday with what seemed to be a dynamite vest. Witnesses told police a man entered the Comfort Inn and Suites Hotel on Route 9W around noon and asked about a room. The clerks say he then opened his jacket and they saw what appeared to be a homemade bomb strapped to his chest. Police say after the suspect got cash, he told the employees to take an elevator to the upper floors. He then walked out.

Police officers checked every escape route possible and combed the area for hours looking for the suspect. Police say they are not sure if it was a real bomb. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mount Pleasant Police Department at 914-769-1941.