Man detained after Boone County bomb threat

The man who threatened the Midway Travel Plaza on Highway 40 with a bomb Monday morning has been detained.

The Boone County Sheriff’s Department said he was taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation.

BCSD got a call at 8:08 a.m. after a possible bomb threat was reported at the Midway Travel Plaza. The department said the man tried to start a fire and was asked to leave. The suspect then said he had an explosive device in his backpack and that he was waiting for deputies. Once authorities arrived, they were able to detain the man by using a shotgun to shoot a beanbag at the man.

After evaluating the backpack, the Columbia Police Deparment bomb squad decided it did not pose a threat, and there was no bomb inside.

Asst. Fire Chief Gale Blomenkamp said the gas pumps were blocked off while emergency crews investigated the backpack.

Authorities are still invesitgating the situation.

Sign up for email news alerts by clicking here