Sunday, August 12 2012 9:32 AM EDT2012-08-12 13:32:01 GMT
Minneapolis police cleared traffic and pedestrians from Nicollet Mall during the Friday afternoon lunch hour as they dealt with a bomb threat inside a skyway bank.
Minneapolis police cleared traffic and pedestrians from Nicollet Mall during the Friday lunch hour as they dealt with a bomb threat inside a skyway bank.
Prosecutors say they are leveling four felony charges against a man accused of making a bomb threat at an M&I Bank in downtown Minneapolis during the lunch hour on Friday.
Investigators say 33-year-old Philip James Pariso entered the bank, located at 61 South 6th St. at about 11:55 a.m. and said he was armed and had a bomb with him while clutching a large bag to his chest.
According to the criminal complaint, Pariso made the claim about the weapon and bomb after he was taken to a cubicle by two employees after asking to reopen a closed bank account.
Arriving officers reported that Pariso held two bank employees hostage while demanding to speak with news reporters. Police say he also yelled "bomb threat" before the employees were released.
Authorities estimate that the two employees were held in the cubicle for about 25-30 minutes before Pariso was taken into custody. No bomb was found.
Pariso has been charged with two counts of terroristic threats and two counts of kidnapping. If he is convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum penalty of 46 years in prison and a possible $76,000 fine.
