San Diego
A La Mesa man was arrested Monday at a Lindbergh Field security checkpoint for claiming to have a bomb in a carry-on bag and threatening airport security, San Diego Harbor Police said.
No bomb was found in the hand luggage of John A. Montello, 29, but he was arrested and booked into County Jail downtown on suspicion of making a false bomb statement and for assault, Harbor Police Sgt. Gary Leeson said.
The incident occurred about 9 a.m. when a routine X-ray check failed to identify the contents of Montello’s carry-on bag, Leeson said. Security guards asked Montello what was in his hand luggage, and he replied that the bag contained a bomb, Leeson said.
Montello also made verbal threats to one of the security luggage screeners when he realized that the police were being called, Leeson said.
Some VCR equipment was found in Montello’s carry-on bag, Leeson said. A search of two pieces of luggage Montello had already checked onto the plane revealed no dangerous items.
The Continental flight Montello was scheduled to take was not delayed by the search, Leeson said.
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