Caller in bogus Miami County Courthouse threat demanded cash, getaway car

‘Serious charges will be filed,’ sheriff said
Miami County Courthouse

Miami County Courthouse

A caller who reported a bomb threat Sunday at the Miami County Courthouse in Troy demanded cash as well as a getaway car, according to the sheriff’s office.

Law enforcement closed off streets around the courthouse after bomb and other threats were received at 5:23 p.m. at the county central Communication Center in Troy in what investigators believe was a “swatting” type hoax.

The threats included claims that bombs had been placed around the building, Sheriff Dave Duchak said later Sunday evening. Swatting is a type of harassment of deceiving emergency service dispatch or an emergency service agency into sending emergency response when it is not needed.

“The caller stated several pipe bombs had been placed on nearby vehicles,” read the sheriff’s office log. “The unknown subject demanded several thousands of dollars in cash as well as a getaway vehicle.”

Officers from the sheriff’s office, Troy police and Tipp City police helped block the streets around the courthouse for more than two hours.

“In an abundance of caution, mutual aid was also requested from the Dayton Police Department Bomb Squad, who deployed a bomb-sniffing canine and other assets,” Duchak said.

No threats were found and the area was cleared.

Sheriff’s detectives will follow up in attempt to learn the origin and identification of the caller.

“Appropriate and serious charges will be filed if the caller is identified,” Duchak said.

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