ROMULUS, Mich. — A 23-year-old man was charged with making a false bomb threat after missing his flight to Los Angeles from Detroit. The suspect allegedly called in a hoax about an explosive device in a desperate attempt to delay the Spirit Airlines flight, hoping he could re-board the plane. A commotion ensued Thursday morning at Detroit Metropolitan Airport due to the fake threat.
Authorities, including the FBI, responded immediately, leading to passengers being evacuated, questioned, and rescreened. This chain of events resulted in a significant delay, as the flight eventually departed six hours behind schedule. “Such threats not only disturb the public peace but also squander crucial law enforcement resources,” commented U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr.
Through detailed phone records, investigators were able to trace the threat back to the suspect. He was subsequently apprehended when he returned to the airport later that night for another journey. In court documents, the FBI revealed that the man admitted to orchestrating the hoax, hoping to delay the flight long enough to reboard, thus avoiding booking an alternative route.