Bomb Threat Investigated, Teenager In Custody

(From the Tiffin Police Department)

This morning at approximately 7:46 a.m., the Tiffin Police Department received a call from a Tiffin resident in the 100 block of 1st Avenue, reporting that he had received a threatening text message indicating a bomb had been placed in his mailbox.

Explosive devices can be constructed to detonate based on movement, pressure changes, or the opening of an object such as a mailbox. Out of an abundance of caution, responding officers made no attempt to open the mailbox. Instead, 1st Avenue was immediately shut down between North Washington Street and Vine Street to ensure public safety. The Tiffin Fire and Rescue Division was requested to stage in a secure area should their assistance be needed. As a precautionary measure, residences along that section of 1st Avenue were evacuated.

The Toledo Police Bomb Squad was contacted and responded to the scene to conduct a thorough investigation. Utilizing proper safety equipment and protocols, a member of the bomb squad carefully examined and opened the mailbox. No explosive device was located.

While the scene was being secured, Tiffin Police Detectives were actively working to identify the origin of the threatening message. Through investigative efforts, detectives determined the text message originated from a 13-year-old juvenile in Fremont, Ohio. The Fremont Police Department assisted in the investigation by locating and interviewing the juvenile, who admitted to sending the message and stated it was intended as a joke. The juvenile was taken into custody and confined at the Seneca County Youth Center. He will be charged with Inducing Panic, a misdemeanor of the first degree, and will be required to appear in Seneca County Juvenile Court.

We want to emphasize that any threat involving explosives must be treated as credible until proven otherwise. We appreciate the resident’s decision to immediately contact law enforcement. If you receive suspicious or threatening messages, especially those involving potential harm, do not attempt to investigate on your own. Contact the Tiffin Police Department right away.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Tiffin Fire and Rescue Division, Tiffin Public Works, the Fremont Police Department, the Toledo Police Bomb Squad, and the officers and detectives of the Tiffin Police Department for their professionalism, coordination, and commitment to ensuring the safety of our community.

Chief Pauly