Plainville Man Threatened Coworkers With Land Mine: Police

A Plainville man was arrested Wednesday after allegedly threatening his coworkers at Adams National Historic Park in Quincy with a claymore mine.

Bruce Beck, 45, was charged with possession of a hoax device, assault with a dangerous weapon (a hoax device), and receiving stolen property over $250, according to the Quincy Police Department.

Police responded Wednesday morning to a report of an employee who may have brought an explosive device to the park. Witnesses say that Beck and another employee had a minor disagreement on Sept. 29 and the next day, Beck walked into the break room, where numerous employees and the victim were, slammed a green satchel on the table, and began to remove items from the bag, including a blue claymore mine and an M57 electrical firing device. As he took the items out of the bag, Beck allegedly pointed at the victim.

After removing the clacker, Beck began depressing the lever several times, making a loud clacking noise. Beck placed the items back in his bag once the victim reached for his phone.

When police searched the satchel, officers reportedly found a blue training aid claymore mine, M57 electrical firing device (clacker), an empty small plastic box labelled 10 blasting caps, and trip wire spool, none of which were considered to be dangerous or hazardous by police.

No explosives were found during a search of the park or Beck’s vehicle. A search of Beck’s Plainville home turned up a second claymore mine.

Beck is expected to be arraigned Thursday.

Photo Credit: Quincy Police