BRIDGEPORT, CT — Bridgeport police arrested a Killingly man Wednesday night after authorities said he called 911 and threatened to blow up Total Mortgage Arena with an explosive device attached to his body.
According to police, the caller provided his name and described himself and the clothing he was wearing.
Arena security evacuated guests and employees after learning of the threat. Police responded to the scene and established a perimeter around the area.
Officers saw the suspect, later identified as Robert Elie, 34, of the Dayville section of Killingly, walking down the exterior stairs of the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater, which is next to the arena. Police said Elie threw his cellphone to the ground, breaking it into pieces, after seeing officers.
Police took Elie into custody without incident. Officers found no explosives on him.
A Stamford Police bomb squad technician and a bomb-detection K-9 searched the arena and surrounding area. No explosive device was found.
Elie was taken by ambulance to St. Vincent's Hospital before being transported to Bridgeport Police Headquarters, where he was processed and charged with first-degree threatening, a felony.
Police said Elie told the 911 dispatcher he made the threat because of his outrage over a government conspiracy. Authorities also said he had previously been arrested by Bridgeport police on charges related to erratic behavior.
Elie was held on $40,000 bond. Court information was not immediately available.
Police Chief Roderick Porter commended officers, patrol supervisors, dispatchers and arena security personnel for their response.
"This was a fluid and potentially life-threatening incident," Porter said in a statement. "Our officers, supervisors and dispatchers relied on their training and experience to perform decisively and tactically and bring it to a successful conclusion. We want everyone who lives in, works in, and visits Bridgeport to know we are doing our best to make them safe."
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