The Haines City Police Department said a man has been arrested after a bomb scare following an overnight crash in the city.According to a release from the police department, a crash in a Davenport Publix parking lot led officers to make contact with Benjamin Donald Johnson, 43, who refused multiple commands to exit the vehicle.Officers physically removed Johnson from the truck and saw multiple firearms in the pickup.After being detained in the back of a patrol car, an officer heard Johnson say there was a “dirty bomb” in his truck. Officers found a yellow plastic container with a radioactive warning label and chains and locks in the pickup.Officers shut down roadways in the area and requested assistance from the Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives as well as a bomb squad.A Florida State Fire Investigator responded to the scene and confirmed the container was emitting radioactivity.Investigators determined the device inside the yellow container was a Moisture Density Gauge, which police said is less radioactive than a medical X-ray and is commonly used for soil testing.The container was taken for further inspection by representatives from the Florida Bureau of Radioactive Materials.A search of Johnson’s truck led to a multitude of firearms and ammunition, magazine speed loaders, thermal scopes, night vision goggles, a battering ram, knives, as well as cannabis and THC-positive gummies, according to the police department.Johnson told police that he was in the area for work and had been living out of his vehicle with his dog. Police said the dog was released to Animal Control.Johnson was ultimately arrested and charged with false report concerning a bomb or explosion, hoax weapon of mass destruction, resisting officers without violence and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.He was booked into the Polk County Jail overnight.
HAINES CITY, Fla. —
The Haines City Police Department said a man has been arrested after a bomb scare following an overnight crash in the city.
According to a release from the police department, a crash in a Davenport Publix parking lot led officers to make contact with Benjamin Donald Johnson, 43, who refused multiple commands to exit the vehicle.
Officers physically removed Johnson from the truck and saw multiple firearms in the pickup.
After being detained in the back of a patrol car, an officer heard Johnson say there was a “dirty bomb” in his truck. Officers found a yellow plastic container with a radioactive warning label and chains and locks in the pickup.
Haines City Police Department
Officers shut down roadways in the area and requested assistance from the Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives as well as a bomb squad.
A Florida State Fire Investigator responded to the scene and confirmed the container was emitting radioactivity.
Investigators determined the device inside the yellow container was a Moisture Density Gauge, which police said is less radioactive than a medical X-ray and is commonly used for soil testing.
The container was taken for further inspection by representatives from the Florida Bureau of Radioactive Materials.
A search of Johnson’s truck led to a multitude of firearms and ammunition, magazine speed loaders, thermal scopes, night vision goggles, a battering ram, knives, as well as cannabis and THC-positive gummies, according to the police department.
Haines City Police Department
Johnson told police that he was in the area for work and had been living out of his vehicle with his dog. Police said the dog was released to Animal Control.
Johnson was ultimately arrested and charged with false report concerning a bomb or explosion, hoax weapon of mass destruction, resisting officers without violence and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
He was booked into the Polk County Jail overnight.