A bomb scare locked down a local courthouse – here’s what happened, and how it turned out
Barney Lerten
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Crook County Justice Center was locked down and the area around it blocked off for a a time Tuesday after a Prineville man told deputies he feared there was a bomb in his car, authorities said.
No device was found, and he was arrested on DUII and other charges.
Around 11:20 a.m., deputies stationed at the Justice Center information desk spotted the tan car heading north on the western sidewalk along NW Beaver Street between First and Second streets, along the east side of the court facility, Sergeant Javier Sanchez said.
The male driver parked, got out and went into the security checkpoint, where he told deputies “he was concerned there was an improvised explosive device in his vehicle,” Sanchez said in a news release.
As a result, the area around the Justice Center, including businesses, was blocked off for about a half-hour, and the facility was placed in lockdown, the deputy said.
The car was searched, and no device was found.
After an investigation, the 39-year-old Prineville man was arrested and lodged in the county jail on charges of DUII and first-degree disorderly conduct.
“The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Prineville Police Department, City of Prineville Public Works, Crook County Fire & Rescue, and STAR Towing for their assistance,” Sanchez said.