The NYPD Bomb Squad responded to a call of a suspicious package in Washington Heights and found what turned out to be a tear-gas canister, authorities said.

The military-style device was found by a passerby who spotted it lying near the corner of West 188th Street and Audubon Avenue around 1:40 a.m. Monday.

Police responded and and began investigating the cylindrical container, which was the size of an aerosol can, officials said.

An hour later, they determined it to be a tear-gas canister and removed it.

Police are unsure how the canister got there and are still investigating the incident.