This article is brought to you in part by our sponsors
Everything’s for sale at the right price, including this website
Man Arrested After Allegedly Claiming He Had a Bomb and Worked for ISIS at North Fort Myers 7-Eleven
A 44-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly telling people he had a bomb and claiming to work for ISIS during a disturbance at a North Fort Myers convenience store, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded to the 7-Eleven at 17930 North Tamiami Trail on July 3 following reports that a man was making bomb threats outside the store.
When deputies arrived, several witnesses directed them toward a man carrying a black backpack on the south side of the property. Authorities identified him as Andrew Garcia, 44.
According to the arrest report, deputies ordered Garcia to drop the backpack, which he did. As he walked toward deputies, investigators say he pointed a strobe light fitted with a laser toward one of the responding deputies before being taken into custody.
A 7-Eleven employee told deputies Garcia had attempted to enter the store with the backpack but was informed he could not bring it inside. After leaving the building, Garcia allegedly pointed a blue laser at a nearby woman.
Witnesses told investigators Garcia repeatedly claimed there was a bomb inside his backpack and said he worked for ISIS. One witness reported Garcia briefly removed a black object from the backpack before placing it back inside, telling bystanders, “I just saved your life.”
Out of caution, deputies searched the backpack and discovered a black battery pack connected by a white cable to what was identified as a white “Pocket Pet” robot, along with the laser-equipped strobe light.
No explosive device was found.
Garcia was arrested and booked into the Lee County Jail. He is charged with:
False report concerning planting a bomb, explosive, or weapon of mass destruction.
Disorderly conduct.
The incident temporarily alarmed customers and employees, but authorities confirmed there was no ongoing threat to the public once the backpack had been searched.
The investigation remains ongoing.
SEO Keywords
North Fort Myers, North Fort Myers bomb threat, 7-Eleven bomb threat, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Andrew Garcia, ISIS claim, Florida crime news, Lee County news, North Tamiami Trail, Southwest Florida breaking news
Tags
North Fort Myers, Lee County, Crime, Bomb Threat, 7-Eleven, Breaking News, Florida News, Sheriff’s Office, Public Safety, Southwest Florida, Arrest, ISIS Claim
