Holder: Evidence men picked up in connection with Times Square bomb provided money to Shahzad

AG: Apparent money tie in Times Square arrests

WASHINGTON — Attorney General Eric Holder says the men taken into custody in connection with the Times Square bombing attempt apparently provided money to would-be bomber Faisal Shahzad.

Holder made the comment Thursday at a news conference.

Asked for details about the three men picked up Thursday morning, Holder said “we believe” there is evidence that they were providing Shahzad with funds.

Holder said “one of the things we are going to be trying to determine” is whether the men knew they were supplying funds for an act of terrorism.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd says three people are in federal custody after search warrants were issued in multiple locations in the Northeast in connection with the Times Square bomb investigation.

Boyd says the three people are being held on alleged immigration violations.

The Justice Department spokesman says the searches are the product of evidence that has been gathered in the 13-day investigation of the attempted Times Square bombing in New York.

He says the activity does not relate to any known immediate threat to the public or active plot against the United States.

The bombing suspect, Faisal Shahzad, has been cooperating with investigators since he was arrested early last week.