Patients and staff have returned to Community Medical Center in Toms River following a bomb scare on Monday night.

Officers say someone working in the psychiatric unit found a suspicious device inside of a patient's backpack and called the police. Staff and nearly 12 patients were evacuated around 6 p.m.

Police found a clock-like device along with a watch, duct tape and possible flammable liquids located in a secure patient storage area.

State police along with K9 and hazmat units searched the building and determined the area was safe around 7:15 p.m.

Patients were allowed back inside and the hospital resumed normal operations.