Scene clear, man in custody following INL bomb scare
Published at | Updated at
UPDATED 11:40 a.m.
The following is a news release from the Idaho Falls Police Department.
Idaho Falls — A residential property and vehicles indicated as potentially containing an explosive device have been cleared and determined safe by the Idaho Falls Regional Bomb Squad.
The 55‐year‐old Idaho Falls man who made the bomb threats remains in police custody. Officers and prosecutors are determining if and what charges will be filed.
According to reports, the Idaho Falls Police Department, the Idaho Falls Regional Bomb Squad and various law enforcement agencies responded to the area on Fremont Avenue between the Idaho National Laboratory’s Willow Creek Campus and University Boulevard for a report of a bomb threat around 8:34 a.m. The area is just north of the INL’s EROB Building.
The bomb squad, along with the IFPD K9 Harry, completed a thorough search of the vehicles and the residence on the property. No device was located.
Fremont Avenue has been reopened.
Updated with additional info from Idaho Falls police.
IDAHO FALLS — A 55-year-old man has been taken into custody after making a bomb threat near Idaho National Laboratory’s Willow Creek Building on Fremont Ave.
Dozens of law enforcement officers responded to the parking lot and street outside the building.
Idaho Falls Police Chief Mark McBride tells EastIdahoNews.com the suspect was located inside his vehicle and subdued with use of a beanbag. He was taken into custody by Idaho Falls police.
A bomb dog is on scene. Police have done visual search of the vehicle and nothing looks threatening. They are working with the prosecutor’s office to get a warrant to search the vehicle.
The call came in around 8:30 a.m. The Willow Creek Building was not evacuated and employees were not being turned away.
INL officials have not commented on the investigation, other than to say the police department is the lead agency. Idaho Falls Police, Idaho State Police, Idaho National Laboratory Protective Force Services responded to the scene.
As of 10:45 a.m., traffic on Fremont Avenue was being blocked between the entrance to the Willow Creek Building and University Boulevard as police investigate the threat.
We will update this story as more information becomes available.