Israeli with fake bomb sparks US airport panic; he was headed to security course
Alon Feldman charged with creating a false public alarm after trying to get through security at Newark with item designed to look like explosive in his bag
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An Israeli man traveling for bomb detection training briefly forced part of a New Jersey airport to shut down when officials discovered a fake explosive device in his bag, according to a report Wednesday.
Alon Feldman, 50, was carrying the realistic looking bomb in his carry-on luggage as he attempted to board a flight at Newark Liberty International Airport, NJ.com reported. The harmless device was designed to look like a fully assembled bomb when viewed on x-ray equipment.
He was detained and charged with creating a false public alarm and interfering with transportation.
Feldman told police he had flown from Tel Aviv and was headed to Panama City, Florida, for a security training conference.
Several security lanes at the airport were temporarily closed and sappers were called to ensure it was not a real bomb.
“The item was built to look exactly like an explosive device. The terror threat is real and we do not take chances when it comes to protecting the lives of travelers,” said TSA’s New Jersey Federal Security Director Tom Carter in a statement.
“The individual who brought this device to the checkpoint knew he had a replica bomb with him and as such, he should have known better than to bring it to an active checkpoint. His foolish actions inconvenienced hundreds of passengers today,” he added.
In addition to criminal charges, Feldman could be fined by the TSA for trying to transport “realistic replica explosives” through the airport.
The Times of Israel Community.