CRESTVIEW — A Crystal River man was arrested Monday morning following a bomb threat made about 8 a.m. at the Crestview Whataburger.
Robert James Clifford, 35, was charged with threatening to bomb and filing a false bomb report; marijuana possession of less than 20 grams; drug equipment possession; and disorderly conduct on the premises of an establishment.
When Crestview Police Department officers responded to the restaurant, Clifford was waiting in the parking lot, Police Chief Tony Taylor said.
Police spokesman Cmdr. Andrew Schneider said the restaurant had been cleared on dispatchers’ instructions before the first officers arrived on scene. Officers located Clifford’s backpack inside.
“We could tell right away it wasn’t a bomb,” Schneider said. “He had pill bottles and all personal items in it.”
Later, Schneider said, Clifford reversed his earlier threat and told officers that “it wasn’t a bomb.”
Clifford directed officers to his pick-up truck, which had broken down across State Road 85 from the Whataburger. A witness said the truck contained several rolls of electric wire and equipment consistent with an electrician’s job.
The Northwest Florida Regional Bomb Squad stood by while the truck and backpack were searched.
Schneider said Clifford gave no explanation for making the threat.
“We respond as though threats are always real,” Taylor said. "At no time was anybody in danger. We’re a lot of times over cautious. We have to be in situations like this.”
Clifford was remanded to the Okaloosa County Jail upon his arrest.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Man arrested after bomb threat at Crestview Whataburger