Abingdon man charged in connection to local Catholic Church bomb threat
Earlier today, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) reported
that they have charged Steve Michael Droter, 45, of Abingdon, Maryland, in
connection to a bomb threat at Prince of Peace Church that occurred earlier
this week.
On Tuesday, September 24, at 12:41 p.m., HCSO Deputies responded to the Prince of Peace Catholic Church at 2600 Willoughby Beach
Road in Edgewood, Maryland, for the report of a suspicious vehicle. Upon
arrival, deputies spied a box truck occupied by Droter.
After deputies made contact with Droter, he made statements that led deputies to believe he may have had explosives in his vehicle. Out of an abundance of caution, Deputies immediately established a perimeter, evacuated the church and residences in close proximity to the vehicle, and closed Willoughby Beach Road to traffic.
“When they made contact, he gave us info to believe he may have had explosives in his vehicle.” ~ Kyle Andersen, HCSO Spokesperson
Investigators with the Office of the State Fire Marshall and Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms responded to the scene and cleared the vehicle. No explosives were located.
The Baltimore Sun reported Emily Witte, spokesperson for the Office of the State Fire Marshal as saying that investigators on the scene used x-rays, a bomb robot and bomb detection K-9s to ensure there were no threats present.
Edgewood High School, Edgewood Middle School and Deerfield Elementary schools were on modified lockdown while police investigated the threat.
Since then, the all clear was given and the schools dismissed, officials said. ~ WBAL-TV
As the investigation progressed, it was determined Droter had
rented the box truck earlier in the month, and had not yet returned it to the
company, leading them to reporting it as stolen.
Droter was taken into custody and taken to the Harford County Detention Center.
He is charged with Threat of Mass Violence, Theft $25,000 to under $100,000,
unauthorized removal of motor vehicle, and vehicle/rented: fail return. He is
currently awaiting his initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner.
(Source and Steve Michael Droter booking photo: Harford County Sheriff’s Office)
~ Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
