Final Bomb Threat Release

Issued 8/8/12 @ 2:30 p.m. by John Schulz, Public Information Officer

Roland Paul Arel, DOB: 080546, a transient from Sacramento, California, was arrested today for allegedly making a bomb threat on a bus traveling from Salt Lake City to Denver via Fort Collins.  Mr. Arel was charged with Colorado Revised Statute (CRS)18-03-0206 - Felony Menacing (F5) and CRS 18-12-109 - Possession, use, or removal of explosives or incendiary devices …hoaxes (F5).  He is being held at the Larimer County Jail awaiting a bond hearing.  Additional charges may be added after the conclusion of the investigation.

The Larimer County Sheriff's Office received a call from a Trailways bus driver at approximately 5:14 a.m. reporting that a passenger on one of two buses allegedly claimed to have a bomb and was threatening to detonate it.  At the time the call was received, the buses were traveling southbound on Highway 287 just north of Fort Collins.  Deputies made arrangements with the driver of the first bus to have the two buses driven to the Ranch at I-25 & Crossroads Boulevard.

In order to not alarm the passengers or tip off the suspect, the drivers announced they were having mechanical problems with one of the buses and were stopping to look at it.  Subsequently, the passengers were asked to get off the buses so repairs could be done.  Once the passengers had exited the buses, deputies contacted the suspect, who had remained on the second bus, via the driver's cell phone.  Shortly after that contact the suspect left the bus and was taken into custody without incident.

After a thorough search by the Northern Colorado Bomb Squad using a robot as well as a bomb trained K-9 unit from Jefferson County, nothing suspicious was found.  The buses were reloaded and went on to Denver, their final destination.  The incident was concluded at approximately 10:00 a.m. this morning.

The charges are merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.