Thursday, April 30, 2009

JUVENILE CHARGED IN HOTEL BOMB THREAT EPISODE

A 16-year-old male juvenile from Rio Grande City faces at least two charges in connection with a bomb threat that forced the evacuation of a Rio Grande City hotel for approximately three hours Sunday night.

The telephoned bomb threat also brought about the closure of a nearby convenience store for roughly two and one-half hours.

On Monday morning, Rio Grande City Police Chief B.A. “Dutch” Piper warned, “We intend to deal with such actions very seriously. We intend to prosecute this to the fullest extent of the law.”

Piper noted, “Those involved in the search didn’t find anything suspicious…Each and every square inch (of the hotel) was checked.”

“We got a call at 10:23 p.m. on Sunday, April 26 about a bomb threat at the Holiday Inn Express,” stated the chief. “About 60 guests were evacuated and Tejano Mart (convenience store), located nearby, was shut down for about two and one-half hours. The hotel guests were allowed to return to their rooms at roughly 1:30 a.m.”

Piper indicated that the RGCPD “contacted the McAllen Police Department Bomb Squad. The Starr County Sheriff’s Department provided assistance.” He noted that the Rio Grande City Fire Department responded to the initial call.

Piper added, “We were able to arrest a 16-year-old male subject and charge him with making a terroristic threat and making a false report. More charges are pending.”

“The youth did confess to being responsible,” explained the chief. “…We don’t have a motive right now. Investigation is continuing; from all indications this youth acted alone.”

The RGCPD reported that roughly two and one-half hours into the search, the youth called the Sheriff’s Department via 911 and stated that he was the individual who had made the false bomb threat at the Holiday Inn Express. Sheriff’s deputies then proceeded to the youth’s residence, picked him up, and placed in the custody of the RGCPD.

The Holiday Inn Express hotel is located at 5274 East Highway 83.

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