Man detained in downtown bomb scare

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

A portion of downtown Honolulu was shut down last night after a man who was under police surveillance left two suspicious bags at the Verizon building on Bishop Street.

Police were watching the man because he had been detained on the Mainland for possessing bomb components.

At about 9:30 last night, four hours after the scare began, the police bomb squad found that the bags contained "personal items," such as water bottles, said police Assistant Chief Boisse Correa.

Although no bomb components or hazardous chemicals were found, Correa said police could not take any chances because of the man's background.

Correa said the man, in his 40s and apparently homeless, had been detained in Orlando, Fla., when authorities found "different components on him that could have been used to make a bomb."

But the man made his way from Florida to Phoenix, Ariz., early last month and arrived in Honolulu several weeks ago, Correa said.

Authorities on the Mainland notified the Honolulu Police Department.

"When he got to the Islands, we wanted to know what he was doing," Correa said. "He was followed here (Verizon building) and when he got here he had a plastic bag with him."

The man was apprehended by police shortly after 5 p.m., but Correa said he was not arrested. He added that the man was "under observation" last night, but he would not say which agency had custody of him.

Correa said the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI were assisting in the case.

"This individual did come from the Mainland all the way here, and there are other jurisdictions that are interested in this individual," Correa said.

Police closed Bishop Street from Vineyard Bou-levard to Hotel Street while the Specialized Services Division, bomb detail and a fire department Hazmat team investigated the bags. The police robot also was used to approach the bags.

Bishop Street reopened at 10:15 p.m.

During the investigation, many workers in the Verizon and surrounding buildings were kept in their offices as a precaution.

Reach Curtis Lum at 525-8025 or culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.