An elderly man aboard a JetBlue flight in Florida was arrested after he told airline staff he had a “bomb” in his bag, authorities said.
Robert Albanese, 76, of Lindenhurst, New York, was arrested Sunday just before 10 a.m. at Terminal 4 at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office said.
Police were called to the terminal after Albanese apparently became upset when he was unable to find space in the overhead bin for his carry-on luggage, according to an affidavit obtained by News 6.
“Witnesses, including flight attendants and a gate agent, advised that the defendant began arguing with airline staff regarding storage of his bag,” the affidavit reads. “Multiple witnesses reported that the defendant stated, ‘I have a bomb in my bag,’ while gesturing to his carry-on luggage located inside the aircraft cabin,” according to the affidavit.
Deputies took Albanese into custody, and the plane, which was preparing for takeoff, had to be evacuated. A K9 was brought onto the aircraft to search for a potential bomb, but no such threat had been found, NBC Miami reported.
It was not immediately clear where the flight was headed or how big a disruption the threat caused.
Given the flight delays, operational disruptions, personnel costs, and other expenses, the threat cost the airline and airport over $1,000, according to News 6.
Albanese was charged with a false report of a bomb explosion and criminal mischief over $1,000.
He is being held at the Broward County Jail without bail, WPBF reported.
