Philadelphia

Norwegian Man Uses Airport Threats in Hopes of Catching Flight at Philly Airport: Police

Philadelphia Police arrested a 30-year-old Norwegian man after they say he called in two bomb threats to Philadelphia International Airport because he was running late for a flight.

Chief Inspector Joe Sullivan told the Philadelphia Daily News the 30-year-old man -- later identified as Svein Johannessen -- called in the threats Thursday because he missed his flight to London and was desperate to catch the rescheduled flight.

Sullivan said the first call was made at about 3:25 p.m. and reported an explosive at baggage claim in Terminal A. A little more than an hour later, Johannessen made a second call demanding the airport ground all British Airways planes, said police.

Surveillance video from inside the airport showed Johannessen made the calls from a pay phone inside the airport, said police.

The threats were unfounded as sweeps turned up nothing and airport operations weren't affected. Police cleared the scene by 6:30 p.m.

Johannessen, who hails from Kristiansand, Norway, faces felony charges of making bomb threats and terroristic threats.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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