Threatening To Blow Up Bank: Not a Good Idea
You Will Be Arrested
Posted June 18, 2015 04:25 am
LAKE CITY, FL –
On Wednesday, June 17, 2015, at approximately 4:34 pm,
the Lake City Police Department was notified that a bomb
threat had been received by Ameris Bank. According to
the complaint, a disgruntled customer had contacted
Ameris Bank’s customer service line and threatened to
blow up the Lake City and Live Oak branches.
The Lake City Police Department responded to both Lake City locations (2357 NW US Hwy 90 and 355 SW Bently Pl). The two branches were immediately evacuated.
After customers and employees had been removed to a safe location, LCPD teams searched the banks for explosive devices. None were found.
Members of LCPD’s Criminal Investigative Division, working with Ameris Bank Corporate Security, were able to identify the origin of the bomb threat call. Investigators responded to the home of Christopher Charles Ruzzo (12/6/1966), where the suspect was located and detained.
Investigation revealed that Ruzzo had called from his cell phone.
During an interview, Ruzzo stated, “I was upset and told them I would blow the place up.”
“Threats of this nature have to be taken very seriously,” said Lake City Police Chief Argatha Gilmore. “We are glad this threat turned out to be false, and greatly appreciate the assistance from Ameris Bank as well as the cooperation from the public during our response. “
Ruzzo was arrested for "Threatening to Bomb" and booked into the Columbia County Jail.
He is currently being held on a $5,000.00 bond.
No actual explosive devices were found during this incident, no injuries occurred, and bank operations are expected to return to normal operation 9 am tomorrow.
Prepared from a press release (6/17/2015; 10:33 pm) by Mike Lee, PIO
