Man arrested in Metrolink bomb scare
A 53-year-old Lancaster man who claimed there was a bomb on a Metrolink train Tuesday was arrested after officials discovered he was subject to an outstanding warrant, police said.
The man, who was not immediately identified, reportedly told a female passenger that there was a bomb on the train, which was coming from the Antelope Valley, said Burbank Police Sgt. Darin Ryburn.
The woman reported the comment to the train conductor, who called police at 12:36 p.m. The conductor stopped the train at the Burbank station, located at 201 N. Front St.
The station, Front Street and the Olive Street overpass were evacuated as the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department bomb squad investigated the incident, police said. Other trains were delayed during the search.
“They did a full sweep on the train, and everything was clear,” said Metrolink spokesman Jeff Lustgarten. “I’m glad that everything is OK and our passengers are safe and secure. That’s our No. 1 priority.”
After the sweep, the approximately 20 passengers reboarded the train, which was headed to Union Station, officials said.
Public safety officials have been on high alert after two bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday, leaving three dead and more than 140 injured.
“In this day and age, especially with what happened [in Boston], no one should be joking around about an explosive device,” Ryburn said.
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alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com
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