Pier Ferris Wheel Climber Identified; Faces Bomb Threat Charges

SANTA MONICA, CA — A man who shut down the Santa Monica Pier and spread terror through Pacific Park by climbing the Ferris wheel while claiming to have a bomb remains jailed on suspicion of making criminal threats, police announced Tuesday.

Authorities identified the climber as 37-year-old Juan Gonzalez, of Garden Grove. Gonzalez was booked on suspicion of criminal threats, making a false bomb threat to authorities and resisting arrest. He was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail, according to sheriff's jail records.

The ordeal lasted for more than an hour Monday as firefighters rescued people stuck on the Ferris wheel and police evacuated the pier and attempted to negotiate with the man.

Police said about 10 riders were on the wheel at the time, and fire crews used a bucket truck to evacuate them while negotiators tried to talk the man down. The Pacific Park amusement park and the pier were both closed to the public.

"Gonzalez was very agitated and upset and continued to make bomb threats to the officers negotiating with him," police said in a statement Tuesday. "The incident lasted for more than an hour before Gonzalez climbed down low enough for officers to take him into custody. Gonzalez was not in possession of an explosive device or any other weapons."

He was taken into custody shortly after 4 p.m., and hospitalized for evaluation. Police determined he did not have a bomb or incendiary device in the backpack he carried with him.

A Pacific Park official issued a statement thanking first responders for a quick and peaceful resolution to the incident.

"Pacific Park continues working closely with the Santa Monica Police Department and Santa Monica Fire Department and other law enforcement agencies. We are grateful for their speedy response, direction and leadership," park officials wrote in a prepared statement. "Pacific Park’s top priority is the safety of its employees and guests. This is an active investigation and Pacific Park is not able to discuss the details of the situation."

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report