Police: Troy man placed object thought to be bomb as prank
A Troy man is accused of making a bomb threat as a prank.
Mathius J. Ortiz, 30, was charged with making a terrorist threat and endangering the welfare of a child.
This stemmed from an incident on April 19 around 4 p.m. Police responded to the area of Jefferson Street and 6th Avenue after a group of juveniles reported that they saw a man put an object on the ground and made a statement that it was hazardous, Troy Police said.
A K-9 team responded and found an object. The New York State Police Bomb Disposal Unit also responded to collect the object and process it.
At this time, police said there is no indication the device is hazardous in any way.
The investigation identified Ortiz as a suspect. With the assistance of detectives, they located Ortiz on Sunday and interviewed him.
The investigation determined that Ortiz placed the object and talked with the juveniles, considering it a prank.
Ortiz was arraigned in Tory City Court and sent to Rensselaer County Jail.
Police issued a warning to the public against engaging in such pranks.
“Incidents such as these, even those considered pranks, encumber significant public safety resources