Bomb Scare At Waterford Bank Leads To Shelter In Place, Arrest

WATERFORD, WI — A man was arrested Tuesday after he threatened employees at a Waterford bank by implying there was an explosive in a silver briefcase he was carrying, according to a news release from the Racine County Sheriff's Office.

An employee at Community State Bank at 810 Fox Lane told police a known customer had threatened staff. Bank employees locked the doors so when authorities arrived, the man was standing in the parking lot 20 feet from the entrance with the briefcase in his hand, according to the sheriff's office.

Deputies ordered the man at gunpoint to drop the briefcase, which he did, the sheriff's office said. Deputies arrested him, and businesses in the immediate area were evacuated as the situation turned to getting rid of the potentially dangerous briefcase.

The man had verbally and physically implied there was an explosive in the briefcase, the sheriff's office said. A hazardous device squad from Kenosha was called in to x-ray the container.

Authorities used a small water-propelled charge to force the briefcase open to examine it further, and deputies examined the man's truck for suspicious devices, according to the news release.

Once authorities determined the briefcase and vehicle were not a threat, the shelter in place was lifted and businesses could re-open, according to the sheriff's office.

Authorities also cleared the 52-year-old man's home for explosive devices and he was brought to the Racine County Jail on charges of disorderly conduct and bomb scare, the sheriff's office said.