New Britain police have arrested a local man who is accused of leaving what appeared to be explosives on the side of the road in his neighborhood, prompting evacuations Friday morning. In an interview with NBC Connecticut earlier today, he said he was the one who made the call to 911.
Police officers responded to the area of Willow Street and Putnam Street just after 8:01 a.m. to investigate several suspicious packages and found several items that had writing on them indicating they were explosives.
As a precaution, area residents were evacuated while officers investigated.
The State Police Bomb squad also responded and determined none of the items were actual explosives and the roads were reopened at 9:50 a.m. and residents were able to return to their homes.
The New Britain police identified 51-year-old Alberto Duarte, of New Britain, as the suspect.
He spoke with NBC Connecticut Friday morning and said he had called police about some paint cans, a coffee maker and a few notes on the items that implied there was an explosive device.
“I found three notes. I read it to the officers and after I read it, she said to get away from it and just go back to the house and wait for the officers to come. Yeah, so this is basically my first bomb scare,” Duarte told NBC Connecticut in an interview before he was arrested.
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He has been charged with falsely reporting an incident, misuse of a 911 system, breach of peace in the first degree and making a false statement, according to police.
He was held and released on a non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 21.
Police ask anyone with additional information to call Lt. Rembisz at (860) 826-3131, leave anonymous tips at 860 826-3199 or visit the police department website www.NewBritainPolice.org.
