LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) – A 65-year-old man has been arrested after making a false bomb threat at the Lakeland Public Library.
Police say officers responded to the library’s main branch around 9 a.m. Thursday in reference to a possible bomb threat.
After arriving, police say William Ammermann, 65, placed his backpack on a bench in front of the library, put his hands in the air and walked away from the backpack.
Officers learned from witnesses that Ammermann had become increasingly belligerent after being asked to leave the library’s adjoining Black and Brew coffee shop.
According to police, Ammermann had been approaching young women in the business and repeatedly entered and exited the shop, each time leaving his backpack inside the business.
After a final request was made for him to leave the shop, Ammermann said, “I’m going to go to the library and wait for the bombs to go off,” police said.
The library complex was evacuated until both the backpack and building were cleared with the help of the Tampa Police Department’s Bomb Squad. The all-clear was given shortly after 11 a.m.
Ammermann has been charged with making a false report involving a bomb/explosion and trespassing.
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