Posted at 11 a.m., Thursday, October 18, 2001

Pearl City High student arrested in anthrax scare case

• State sets harsh penalties for anthrax hoaxes
• Anthrax: Fighting the Fear - Advertiser special report

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

The 15-year-old Pearl City High School student who allegedly created a chemical scare by dumping baking powder and powdered sugar at the school yesterday has been arrested by police.

Police arrested the boy on suspicion of first-degree terroristic threatening, which is a felony. The boy was identified by two of his friends as the culprit, police said.

The boy was later released to the custody of his parents. The chemical scare at about 8:30 a.m. prompted investigations by police and fire officials, and forced the school to keep students in their classrooms.

First-degree terroristic threatening carries a maximum five-year jail term and $10,000 fine.