The State - News from June 12, 1989

A man who locked himself inside a car in Newport Beach and allegedly threatened to touch off a bomb surrendered after police fired 21 tear gas canisters into his car, authorities said. Frank M. Johnston, 54, hesitantly opened the car door, ending a tense four-hour standoff in a supermarket parking lot, police said. Susan Littmann, who had parked alongside Johnston’s car, said he told her: “Don’t park there. I’ve got a bomb in my car.” Police evacuated the market and cordoned off the area. A sharpshooter shot out a tire and fired into the engine, disabling Johnston’s car, police said. No bomb was found, investigators said. Johnston was booked for investigation of filing a false report of planting a bomb and was being held in lieu of $10,000 bail.