Business & Tech
Police: Suspicious Package Hoax at Walmart a Day After Boston Marathon Bombing
Man's claims of spotting an unattended backpack in Manassas came a day after Boston explosion killed three.

A day after a deadly bomb exploded at the height of the Boston Marathon, local police officers spent more than an hour investigating a report of a susciopus package at the Manassas Mall that turned out to be a hoax.
Ian James Godbout, 32, of 12000 Coverstone Hill Cir No. 242 in Manassas is charged with falsely summoning the police and possession of a concealed weapon, Prince William County Police reports show.
- Read ongoing Patch coverage of the Boston Marathon explosion
Officers were called at 11:33 p.m. Tuesday to Manassas Mall on Sudley Road after the suspect reported he found an unattended backpack near the mall entrance of Walmart.
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Godbout allegedly added that the package had been left unattended for more than an hour, police said.
Numerous officers responded and searched the area but never found a suspicious bag or any device, Prince William County Police reports show.
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Officers visited the caller, who was in another part of the mall, and learned that he lied about the package.
Police search the suspect and found a pair of brass knuckles and a knife and took him into custody. He remains in the adult detention center under a $2,500 bond.
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