‘Diff’rent Strokes’ Actor Accused of Bomb Threats

Actor Todd Anthony Bridges, a cast member of the ABC series “Diff’rent Strokes,” was arrested at his Northridge home Friday on suspicion of making bomb threats against a Van Nuys businessman, Los Angeles police said.

Bridges, 20, was arrested at 6:35 a.m., taken to the Devonshire station for questioning and released after posting $5,000 bail, Lt. Dan Cooke said.

Police used a warrant issued by San Fernando Valley Municipal Judge Michael Luros to search Bridges’ home in the 17200 block of Rayen Street, but declined to say what, if anything, was taken from the home.

Cooke said the arrest stemmed from alleged threats by Bridges against Greg Tyree, who was hired by the actor to make custom alterations to Bridges’ vehicles. The threats were made March 21 and March 26, Cooke said.

The actor, who plays Willis opposite Gary Coleman in the TV series, could not be reached for comment.

Bridges was arrested by Beverly Hills police in 1983 for carrying a loaded, concealed, .45-caliber automatic pistol in his 1980 Porsche. He pleaded guilty, was placed on one-year probation and fined $240.

Bridges told officers he purchased the gun because he had received threats from the Ku Klux Klan. At the time Bridges lived in San Fernando, but he later sold his house there and moved to Northridge.