Edgewood Bomb Threat: Abingdon Man Charged, Sheriff Says

BEL AIR, MD — An Abingdon man has been charged in connection with the bomb scare Tuesday that put Edgewood on alert and multiple schools on lockdown. Investigators did not find any explosives, but officials said that he led them to believe he had some in his truck.

Steve Michael Droter, 45, of Abingdon, was in a box truck at Prince of Peace Church when deputies arrived, according to authorities.

Officers from the southern precinct had been called to the church in the 2600 block of Willoughby Beach Road at 12:41 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, for a suspicious vehicle.

"After deputies made contact with Droter, he made statements that led deputies to believe he may have had explosives in his vehicle," the Harford County Sheriff's Office said in a statement Wednesday, Sept. 25.

Immediately, deputies said they established a perimeter, evacuated the church and residences near the vehicle and closed Willoughby Beach Road as a precaution.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms investigated and determined the vehicle was free of explosives.

Authorities determined through the course of the investigation that Droter had rented the box truck earlier in September and had not returned it to the company, which had since reported it stolen.

As a result of the incident, Droter was arrested and taken to the Harford County Detention Center.

He has been charged with the following, according to the Harford County Sheriff's Office.

• Threat of mass violence
• Theft from $25,000 to under $100,000
• Unauthorized removal of motor vehicle
• Failure to return a rented vehicle

He is currently awaiting his initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner, authorities reported Wednesday afternoon.

Edgewood High School, Edgewood Middle School and Deerfield Elementary School were on modified lockdowns until 4:45 p.m. Tuesday due to the investigation, and after-school and evening activities were canceled.

An event set to take place at Edgewood High School featuring pro wrestler and motivational speaker Marc Mero — billed as the "Champion of Choices Rally" — was moved to the Epicenter at 1918 Pulaski Highway in Edgewood.

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