Man's 'Sarcastic' Bomb Remarks Closed Tweed Airport: New Haven Police

NEW HAVEN, CT — A man boarding an Avelo flight at Tweed New Haven Airport, who police said made "comments about a bomb," was taken off the plane "out of an abundance of caution," Thursday morning.

As was noted by the airport on social media, the airport, which first called it a "security incident," said that at around 11 a.m., while boarding Avelo Flight 295 to Charlotte-Concord, "a passenger overheard another passenger making a remark about having a bomb in his bag. Authorities were immediately alerted, and the individual, along with his belongings, was detained."

According to New Haven police spokesperson Officer Christian Bruckhart, Jarrett Tucker, 31, of Fairfield was placing luggage in the overhead compartment when he said, "I hope that`s not a bomb" referring to his luggage. Bruckhart said Tucker added, that he hoped the plane would not crash. "There have been a lot of plane crashes lately," police said he uttered, adding: "Where is the escape route if the plane crashes."

Based on his statements and the effect they had on other passengers, Tucker was removed from the plane and taken into custody, police said.

The airport then followed protocol, it said.

"Following standard security protocols and out of an abundance of caution, the aircraft, and terminal were evacuated while a thorough security sweep was conducted," the airport noted.

The New Haven Police Department’s Hazardous Devices Unit, in conjunction with fire department personnel, completed a K9 sweep of the aircraft and checked the baggage area but nothing suspicious was located, Bruckhart said.

"The investigation confirmed that no bomb was present, and the remark—though made sarcastically—disrupted airport operations and the safety of its passengers," a statement from the airport reads.

Tucker acknowledged that he made “a stupid comment about a bomb and plane crashes,” Bruckhart said. Tucker was arrested and charged with second-degree breach of peace.

When asked why the arrest was not federal, Bruckhart said that as the doors to the plane were "not closed," it's a local jurisdiction matter.

According to Tweed New Haven Airport, which thanked the passenger who reported what they heard, the man was charged with second-degree breach of peace.

"We appreciate the vigilance of the passengers who promptly reported the incident, ensuring the safety and security of everyone at the airport."

Original story:

A "security incident," at Tweed New Haven Airport at around 11 a.m. Thursday shuttered the airport temporarily and all flights are, for now, delayed, it noted on Facebook.

"A security incident occurred at approximately 11 a.m. this morning," the Airport posted to its social media. "Out of an abundance of caution, the terminal was temporarily closed for a full security sweep."

The nature of the incident was not disclosed

"All passengers in the terminal are being rescreened by TSA," it's noted. "Standard security protocols have been activated. More information will be provided as it becomes available."

Customers were advised to check with the airline for up-to-date flight information,