Simi Valley Man Accused of Threat That Emptied Church
A Simi Valley man was arrested Thursday on suspicion of making a bomb threat that forced the evacuation of 1,200 worshipers from a Christmas Eve Mass at a Roman Catholic church in Simi Valley, police said.
Jerrold Zuckerman, 26, apparently made the threat because he was angry about his wife’s attending Mass at St. Rose of Lima Church on Royal Avenue, Simi Valley Police Lt. Robert Klamser said.
A caller made the threat to the church shortly after the Mass had begun, Klamser said. Officers found no bomb after searching for about 20 minutes, Sgt. Tony Harper said.
About half of the worshipers stayed during the search and went back inside for the rest of the Mass, Harper said.
Zuckerman was charged with falsely reporting a bomb threat, a misdemeanor, Klamser said.
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