A local NYC street vendor is being hailed as a hero for notifying police about a suspicious SUV parked in Manhattan’s Times Square.

This past Saturday afternoon, Lance Orton, Sr., a street vendor for more than 20 years who sells “I Love NY” memorabilia, says he first noticed what looked like smoke streaming from a parked SUV. Needless to say, something definitely seemed wrong with this picture and Orton knew it.

WATCH TODAY SHOW COVERAGE OF ORTON AND THE TIMES SQUARE SUV.

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According to Orton’s account of the incident, at first there was a little smoke, but as time progressed the smoke became worse. He then noticed smoke streaming from all sides of the SUV.

There was even a loud, popping sound that came from the vehicle. Luckily, Orton was able to notify police close by, who eventually discovered gasoline and propane canisters inside the SUV.

Orton, who said he is “glad to be here,” has advice to all people, particularly New Yorkers, who witness something suspicious.

“People kinda take it lightly, you can’t take that attitude with the ways things are these days.”