A 13-year-old from Fremont, Ohio, is facing a misdemeanor charge after admitting to sending a threatening text message to a Tiffin resident claiming a bomb had been placed in his mailbox, according to a statement released Thursday by Tiffin Police Chief David Pauly.
Officers responded at approximately 7:46 a.m. after the resident, located in the 100 block of 1st Avenue, reported the text. As a precaution, police shut down 1st Avenue between North Washington Street and Vine Street and evacuated nearby residences. The Tiffin Fire and Rescue Division was staged in a secure area in the event their assistance was needed.
Authorities did not attempt to open the mailbox. Chief Pauly noted that explosive devices can be constructed to detonate based on movement, pressure changes, or the opening of an object. The Toledo Police Bomb Squad was contacted and dispatched to the scene, where a technician examined and opened the mailbox using proper safety equipment and protocols. No explosive device was found.
While the scene was being secured, Tiffin Police detectives worked to trace the origin of the threatening message. Their investigation determined the text had been sent by the juvenile in Fremont. The Fremont Police Department assisted by locating and interviewing the teen, who admitted to sending the message and told investigators it was intended as a joke.
The juvenile was taken into custody and confined at the Seneca County Youth Center. He will be charged with Inducing Panic, a first-degree misdemeanor under Ohio law, and is required to appear in Seneca County Juvenile Court.
Chief Pauly emphasized that all threats involving explosives are treated as credible until proven otherwise and urged residents who receive suspicious or threatening messages to contact the Tiffin Police Department immediately rather than investigate on their own. He also extended thanks to the Tiffin Fire and Rescue Division, Tiffin Public Works, the Fremont Police Department, the Toledo Police Bomb Squad, and the officers and detectives of the Tiffin Police Department for their coordination and response.
A 13 year old from Fremont, Ohio, is facing a misdemeanor charge after admitting to sending a threatening text message to a Tiffin resident claiming a bomb had been placed in his mailbox, according to a statement released Thursday by Tiffin Police Chief David Pauly. Officers responded at approximately 7:46 a.m. after the resident, located in the 100 block of 1st Avenue, reported the text. As a precaution, police shut down 1st Avenue between North Washington Street and Vine Street and evacuated nearby residences. The Tiffin Fire and Rescue Division was staged in a secure area in the event their assistance was needed. Authorities did not attempt to open the mailbox. Chief Pauly noted that explosive devices can be constructed to detonate based on movement, pressure changes, or the opening of an object. The Toledo Police Bomb Squad was contacted and dispatched to the scene, where a technician examined and opened the mailbox using proper safety equipment and protocols. No explosive device was found. While the scene was being secured, Tiffin Police detectives worked to trace the origin of the threatening message. Their investigation determined the text had been sent by the juvenile in Fremont. The Fremont Police Department assisted by locating and interviewing the teen, who admitted to sending the message and told investigators it was intended as a joke. The juvenile was taken into custody and confined at the Seneca County Youth Center. He will be charged with Inducing Panic, a first degree misdemeanor under Ohio law, and is required to appear in Seneca County Juvenile Court. Chief Pauly emphasized that all threats involving explosives are treated as credible until proven otherwise and urged residents who receive suspicious or threatening messages to contact the Tiffin Police Department immediately rather than investigate on their own. He also extended thanks to the Tiffin Fire and Rescue Division, Tiffin Public Works, the Fremont Police Department, the Toledo Police Bomb Squad, and the officers and detectives of the Tiffin Police Department for their coordination and response.
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