A 54-year-old Cathedral City man was arrested Sunday after telling a restaurant employee there was a bomb in his vehicle parked in downtown Palm Springs.
According to Palm Springs police, the man approached the employee at approximately 2:51 p.m. in the 150 block of South Palm Canyon Drive and stated there was a bomb inside a vehicle parked in front of the Sonny Bono statue and multiple restaurants.
Police Chief Andy Mills said officers on foot patrol downtown were able to quickly respond and detain the man after he made the threat.
“The car is in the middle of 100 S Palm Canyon (with) a suitcase next to it,” Mills wrote on social media during the investigation. “Police K-9 on the way. Will open as soon as possible.”
Officers immediately responded to the scene, secured the area and requested assistance from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team. The K-9 was deployed to help clear the vehicle.
Authorities closed multiple roads during the investigation. North Palm Canyon from Tahquitz Canyon to Arenas Road and North Indian Canyon from La Plaza to Belardo Road were shut down. Nothing suspicious was found in the closed area.
Police cleared the scene at 4:40 p.m. and the suspect vehicle was removed. The affected roadways have since reopened to traffic.
The suspect will be booked at the John Benoit Detention Center on charges of making a bomb threat.
The police said there was no ongoing threat to public safety. Anyone with additional information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Palm Springs Police Department’s non-emergency line at 760-327-1441. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867.
