Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – An investigation by the Presque Isle Police Department following a bomb threat at the Presque Isle Middle School Sept. 18 has resulted in the arrest of a 14-year-old boy. “The incident occurred on Tuesday, Sept. 18, at the Presque Isle Middle School. Tim McCue, SAD 1’s safety coordinator, conducted an internal investigation and, with the help of other staff members, was able to identify a 14-year-old male student as the culprit,” said Det. Bill Scull, of the PIPD.
Scull said it was determined the boy acted alone.
According to Scull, the parents of the youth obtained the services of a local attorney to represent the boy. Scull was able to coordinate the arrest through the attorney. Scull did not identify the attorney representing the youth.
“I made arrangements with the attorney to arrest the subject at their office. On Thursday, the 27th, I arrested the juvenile for the Class C felony charge of terrorizing,” said Scull.
The Maine Department of Corrections, Juvenile Division, released the juvenile to his parents, with a list of conditions the student was required to abide by, said Scull.
Law enforcement were notified of the threat at the middle school at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 19.
Staff acted quickly to evacuate about 490 students, with everyone gathering at a pre-designated safe location.
As the investigation continued into the afternoon, students were given early dismissal and sent home for the remainder of the day.
The Maine State Police were contacted and a bomb-sniffing dog was used to search the building and grounds for any form of explosive device. None was found.
Members of the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office also assisted at the scene. The building was deemed safe and cleared around 3:30 p.m.
Classes returned to their normal schedule the following day.
The judge could order the youth to pay a fine and/or sentence the juvenile to a youth facility until up to his 21st birthday, according to the D.A.’s Office.
