The suspect in the Times Square bomb hoax that shut down the popular tourist area in the middle of the day on Monday faces a slew of charges that include making terroristic threats, according to police.
Desean Maryat was arrested just hours after police had cordoned off Seventh Avenue between 42nd and 43rd streets to pedestrian and vehicle traffic due to the discovery of a cylinder-style device around 10:30 a.m. in front of a midtown NYPD precinct substation front door.
The bomb squad was called out to investigate the device and ultimately deemed the object not to be a legitimate threat. The NYPD building was evacuated out of a precaution, officials said.
The “all-clear” was given just before noon, and police reopened the Times Square area.
Maryat was taken into custody at the scene and was taken to the hospital for a mental evaluation, police said.
In addition to making terroristic threats, the 26-year-old from the Bronx was charged with reckless endangerment, placing a false bomb or hazardous substance, making a threat of mass harm, and disorderly conduct, according to police. Attorney information for Maryat was not immediately available.
