A strange scene unfolded yesterday morning at the 68th Precinct stationhouse in Bay Ridge, where a 40-year-old man allegedly walked in and yelled, “I have a bomb!" The Post likens the incident to "the set-up for a really tasteless joke" (the Post editors would know!) but to us it sounds more like the set-up for a really stupid movie, starring Adam Sandler as a fake bomb fetishist who falls hard for a foxy divorced bomb squad detective (played by Reese Witherspoon). At any rate, police "whisked" fake bomb threatener Steven Angelides outside and ordered him to place the "bomb," which was inside a bag, on the street. more ›

It's has taken nearly a week to bring electricity back to 99% of the hundreds of thousands of Long Island Power Authority customers who lost power when Hurricane Irene knocked it out, but some Long Islanders are really upset. Like Rajiv Pandey, a Central Islip 33-year-old, who was arrested for allegedly calling News 12 and saying he would plant a bomb at a LIPA facility on Friday. more ›

As anyone who's watched Meet the Parents all the way to the end knows, airport security takes bomb threats very seriously. Even joking about having a bomb can get you arrested. So can drawing a picture of a bomb and writing the word "Boom" on friend's suitcase, as daffy prankster Danisa Landaeta recently discovered. more ›

An Upper West Side synagogue received a letter containing a threat to blow it up on New Year's Eve, according to the rabbi at Congregation Ohab Zedek. Rabbi Allen Schwartz spoke to the Post, which reports the note was found at 5 p.m. on Thursday, "We have reasons to believe someone wants to spread fear. It was a letter sent to 10 or 12 [other] synagogues." Cops confirmed they are investigating the letter, but couldn't say whether there were other similar threats. more ›

Fake bomb threats are so annoying! According to WCBS 2, cops are looking for a man, believed to be 18-20 years old, who has been making fake bomb threats in Queens subway stations: "He made two calls to 911. He said in the first call there was a bomb in a bathroom at the Union Turnpike Station. The second call was made about 15 minutes later. The suspect said there was a bomb inside an E train at the Roosevelt Avenue Subway station." In both instances, nothing dangerous was found. more ›

At 7 a.m. this morning, police and fire officials evacuated residents from a Montclair, NJ street after a "pipe bomb wrapped in a plastic newspaper bag was found this morning on the front lawn of" one home. According to the Montclair Times, "After two attempts, a bomb squad detonated the device, made of a pipe with a 2-inch diameter that had wires protruding from it," with an audience of neighbors watching from past the police's security tape. A neighbor said the home where the device was found "belongs to a couple with a baby girl that has resided at that address for about two years. She did not know the homeowners' names." more ›

Yesterday, police arrested a 19-year-old Bronx man for allegedly threatening to blow up Penn Station and other transit hubs. And it turns out Jonathan Avalos is no stranger to the NYPD or making threats: He was arrested last year for threatening to kill President Obama and Police Commissioner Kelly. more ›

[UPDATE BELOW] According to reports over the news wires, a student at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights has posted an announcement on his Facebook page that he's bringing a bomb to the school at 11 a.m. The FDNY and EMS do not like, and are currently converging at the college, located at 180 Remsen Street. more ›

A former security guard of the NBA Properties office in Secausus, NJ has been arrested after making multiple bomb threats against the building. Officials say Jose Quesada, 19, left at least seven threatening voicemails, including one which warned, "Leave the building. It's gonna blow up...No where to go. It's gonna go up. It's gonna go 'Boom!'" He turned himself in yesterday, and is being held at $100,000 bail. Man, some people are just not taking this whole LeBron thing easily. more ›

The Staten Island Advance reports, "Police officers are evacuating the St. George and Whitehall ferry terminals after a bomb threat was called in, a source told the Advance." The caller allegedly said that a bomb would go off at the "Staten Island Ferry Terminal at 9:30 a.m.” It's unclear which terminal the caller was referring to, so "Both terminals on the Staten Island and Manhattan sides are currently being swept by bomb-sniffing dogs." Update: The terminals reopened after the dogs found nothing suspicious. more ›

Public School 91 in Queens was evacuated this morning due to a bomb threat. According to MyFoxNY, "All students and staff have left the building. Police were called in at 7:34 a.m." more ›

Scott McGann, the 32-year-old who caused a lot of chaos at Laguardia Airport a few weeks ago, was found mentally unfit to be arraigned and was instead "remanded into the custody of the New York State of Mental Health's office, where he will be held for a period of one year or until he regains competency," according to Newsday. On August 1, a United ticket agent alert Port Authority officers to McGann, who seemed out of it and inebriated; the officers were suspicious of the wires coming from his bag and detonator-like device, so they tackled him and the airport's terminal was shut down. It was later revealed his bag had papers that suggested McGann was building a time machine (there were "drawings of a bald man's head, with the words 'Age at 17' above him and the phrases 'John Doe' and 'Lifespan 35 years' below him," as well as "a downward arrow pointing at the word 'Time,' several other arrows pointing at the words 'Dimension 1,' 'Dimension 2,' and 'Dimension 3'"). McGann allegedly suffers from catatonic schizophrenia; Queens DA Richard Brown said, "The defendant is clearly a very troubled young man. Under the circumstances, the court's decision is the right one for all concerned." more ›

On Tuesday, calls were made claiming bombs were set at three synagogues along the Jersey Shore. All were evacuated, but authorities found no signs of explosives. Now the NJ local and state authorities as well as the FBI are looking into the threats; MyFoxNY reports, "The person who made the threats is described as a man who spoke with what sounded like a Middle Eastern accent, police said." One resident told WCBS 2, "I'm wondering where this threat came from. I don't really believe it came from our own type of people. It sounds like it's an anti-Semitic type of thing." And because the synagogues were in Long Branch and Deal, some other locals wonder if the threats are some sort of revenge, since some of the figures from the NJ corruption probe—including rabbi Edmund Nahume and government informant Solomon Dwek—are associated with the synagogues. more ›

The mother of the man accused of essentially shutting down LaGuardia Airport Saturday morning with his fake bomb spoke to the Daily News. Margie Jones said her 32-year-old son Scott McGann has catatonic schizophrenia, which the News says "leaves victims in a psychotic state where they're unable to speak, respond or even move." She added, "He's a not a kook. more ›

Thousands of people planning on traveling out of Laguardia Airport yesterday morning had their plans changed when a man was found with a fake bomb in his bag, prompting the evacuation of the central terminal. The NY Times reports, "passengers who had arrived for early-morning flights were forced to evacuate for nearly three hours, creating a domino effect of car and foot traffic that caused chaos during one of the busier travel days of the summer." And a 32-year-old man was arrested for allegedly causing the mess. more ›

Earlier this morning around 5:30 a.m., the main terminal at LaGuardia Airport was evacuated because of a bomb threat. Apparently a man claimed he had a bomb—he was taken into custody and his bag search—but the device was deemed harmless. However the terminal's C concourse will remained closed for hours, because it's a crime scene. Updated below: A 32-year-old New Yorker was arrested. more ›

Newsday reports that a Manhattan man allegedly threatened to kill Supreme Court nominee federal judge Sonia Sotomayor. Prosecutors say that John Zaubler called 911 on May 30 from a West 72nd Street apartment and said, "I'm going to kill Judge Sotomayor by blowing her up. I'm going to blow her up. I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it because my girlfriend is not going to federal prison." The 48-year-old pleaded not guilty to making terroristic threats; he's being held at Bellevue for psychiatric evaluation. Prosecutors also said he wanted to turn himself in. Newsday adds that Zaubler previously pleaded guilty to harassment in 2005 for making 25 calls to a person in one week, saying, "There is a New York City police unit called the intelligence department and I have used them before to break into people's apartments. I had Daniel Patrick Moynihan arrange that for me; a Syrian agent will kill you unless you have your friend Jasmine apologize for insulting my Muslim friend." more ›

Apparently, a successful robbery M.O. means attempting it again less than 24 hours later and the Grand Hyatt, which is just east of Grand Central Terminal, was the victim of two robberies. NY1 reports that on Tuesday night, "Investigators say a man carrying a blue duffle bag went up to a hotel clerk, passed a note saying there was a bomb in the bag, and demanded money." The Post says the note read "I have a bomb. Remain calm. Empty your register and no police"—the clerk gave him $1,000. Then yesterday afternoon, the same robber came back, giving a similar note to another clerk, who also complied and gave him $1,000. Cops are investigating and ask that anyone with information contact CrimeStoppers by calling 1-800-577-TIPS or texting TIP577 to CRIMES. more ›

CityRoom has posted the U.S. Marshals' Form 531B, which shows the "nine questions that law enforcement agencies want answered in the event of a bomb threat over the phone." Sure, not all bomb threats at called in, but, in case they are, these questions may be useful. The questions include things like "Did you place the bomb?" and "Why?" and also asks the person fielding the call to notice the caller's voice and manner (stutter? slurred? disguised? accent?) and noises in the caller's environment (P.A. system? animal noises? music?—yes, just like in The Fugitive). Initially the U.S. Marshals' spokesman William Dundon suggested that animals noises could eliminate NYC as being a caller's location, but then revised himself, "There are roosters in the city. I have heard them in the morning." more ›

Is it a relief to know that Francisco Garabitos didn't have a bomb when his threats caused a Bronx middle school to be evacuated on Friday? The 55-year-old teacher, who was apparently upset about being disciplined for allegedly punching a student and throwing him against the wall, says he simply wanted the DOE to investigate the principal. Garabitos, a union chapter chairman, told the Post, "A teacher did not snap. A teacher did not threaten to blow up the school.... I just said I was going to shut down the school... It's a political movement by the union. The union wants a change of administration. We negotiate, but when they don't pay attention, we try to do something dramatic." Well, having the NYPD bomb squad arrive and over 1,000 students evacuate is definitely dramatic. Other teachers have been upset with the school's policies, but United Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten also said, "Nobody -- I don't care who it is -- should put kids in harm's way." Garabitos, who has a history of alleged misconduct, was released without bail yesterday. more ›

The Bronx teacher who barricaded himself inside his school and threatened to blow it up after a spat with the principal over an abuse charge had dealt with many discipline problems over the years. 55-year-old Francisco Garabitos has had 14 allegations of misconduct over his 28 year career, including two substantiated claims of corporal punishment. The Daily News reveals that he was also an author, including one book titled "The Virgin and the Beast" that they say "follows the exploits of a cloned woman 'reborn from the ashes of 9-11, 2001' who quickly evolves into a manipulative nymphomaniac." They mention that he also worked at a lingerie store for twenty years. Garabitos was charged with reckless endangerment, obstructing governmental administration and criminal trespassing. more ›

Earlier this morning, a teacher made a bomb threat at JHS 145 in the Bronx, prompting the school to be evacuated. The Post reports the threat was "called in to police by the teacher, who locked himself into a second floor computer room. Cops are communicating with the teacher, whose identity has not yet been released... The man told police he is protesting the mistreatment of teachers." more ›

The Queens DA's office revealed a 19-year-old Queens resident hired as a contract employee at the U.S. Open was charged with falsely reporting an incident--actually three bomb threats. Apparently Mehmet Kadayifci, per WNBC, "pretended to be hearing impaired and used a special Web site to type three bogus claims between midnight and 1 a.m. about a bomb being inside the Arthur Ashe Stadium." (The website is to help deaf people make phone calls.) One note read, "There is a bomb in the fire command center. This is a final warning.". Not only that, Kadayifci had bragged to another worker about the prank. He could face up to 7 years in prison if convicted. more ›

NY1 reports that the NYPD is looking into possible bomb threats, as three people "received post cards warning of bombings in the Financial District" on Friday. And the cards read, "You're invited to a party so put on a happy face...Bombs! Bombs! Bombs! Lower Manhattan, July, August, September," and are signed "New York Jihad." Investigators do not think there is "actual terrorist activity" but are looking into the cards which seem to be printed from desktop computer at home. more ›

Ohio and Texas are "too close to call" for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, which means it will be a long night - and very possibly another few weeks of primary madness. Obama did win Vermont (so far, 59% to Clinton's 39%) and Clinton won Rhode Island (currently 57% to Obama's 42%), which is her first win in a while, but those states aren't the focus. more ›

• Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: an officer struck on 42nd St. and 8th Ave. in Manhattan, a bomb threat on 76th St. and Amsterdam Ave. in Manhattan, and a shooting on Mayfair Dr. in Brooklyn.
• Don't speed (108 m.p.h.), at night (2:30 a.m.), while drunk (.113 BAC), while tailgating and driving erratically, on an urban highway (Staten Island Expressway.) One young Brighton Beach resident didn't get the memo it seems.
• Councilman Leroy Comrie's efforts to halt the branding of soft and alcohol-based drinks "OG Nation," was recently successful, with the renaming of Larry Johnson and Jim Brown's snack and beverage company "Hall of Fame Beverages." No word on what the fate of the"Thug Chips" snacks brand is.
• After Hillary Clinton put her own money on the line by loaning $5 million of her own cash to her campaign, backers have ponied up $7.1 million in additional funding. The beauty of democracy: it brings a tear to our eye.
• Unfortunately, as police arrived at the Staten Island 9/11 Memorial today, a man shot himself in the head and died.
• The FDA is now questioning the safety of a widely used Botox [botulinum toxin] in injection as a beauty treatment. Thousands of New York women would love to express outrage at the revelation, but simply can't.
• Grub Street points out that one can do more than just eat at IHOP, one can now wear IHOP. And that means much more than just throwing up a half-stack of flapjacks on yourself at 5 a.m. after too much "syrup." We're talking IHOP apparel.
• Good question: New York City has its Bravest, Finest, Strongest, and Boldest, but what about the lawyers employed by the City. Do Jack McCoy and the legions of actual city attorneys who've served as his inspiration deserve an appellation? Suggestions welcome.

• Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: a missing child on Bivona St. in the Bronx, a scaffolding collapse at Clifton Ave. in Brooklyn, and a bomb threat at 9th Ave. and 53rd St. in Brooklyn.
• The Fed lowered interest rates again - Bernanke is totally freaking out!
• NYU reaches an accord with neighbors regarding continued expansion. We won't have to start referring to New York as NYUC.
• Stuyvesant High is back on the scene by gaining acceptance to the final round of the Intel Science Competition.

Sure, you've seen TV shows or movies where someone receives caller from someone saying they have a bomb. But the nitty gritty of dealing with such a call can be boiled down to some handy forms. Reader animalvegetable took these photographs of forms (after the jump) from the New York Public Library that advise someone to (try to) classify the caller's voice, listen for background noises, and get the details.
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• Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: an armed robbery on Washington Pl. and Broadway in Manhattan, a person under a train at 42nd St. and 8th Ave. in Manhattan, and a bomb threat at Utopia Ave. and 58th Ave. in Queens.
• A Chappaqua neighbor of Bill and Hillary Clinton was arrested for the murder of his wife. Last year, he claimed that a stranger burst into their SUV following an accident and shot her.
• There was a seven-car pile-up on the northbound FDR near 96th St. that backed up traffic for 30 blocks today. No injuries were reported.
• A two foot-long steel girder fell from the under-renovation High Line today and struck a car.
• The three detectives charged with the murder of Sean Bell are close to formally requesting a change of legal venue outside of Queens County.
• Streit's Matzo factory is leaving the Lower East Side.
• The grand rabbi of a Brooklyn-based Hasidic sect was arrested with his L.A.-located executive assistant for operating a money laundering scheme that profited them $750,000.
• Boingboing features a gallery of Soviet era space-themed Christmas cards.

• Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: a shooting on 126th St. in Manhattan, another shooting on Intervale Ave. and East 163rd St. in the Bronx, and a stabbing on Rockaway and Pitken Aves. in Brooklyn.
• Atlantic City's Borgata casino was in flames this morning.
• Connecticut's Governor suspended parole for inmates convicted of violent crimes after NYC cops shot a convict who drove a car stolen at knife point into the city.
• A Norwegian Cruise Line ship was held dockside in Manhattan for several hours yesterday evening until a bomb threat was determined to be false.
• The Gowanus Lounge notes a flier looking to ID witnesses to the brutality inherent in the system.
• Muslim and Jewish New Yorkers dined together last night on Manhattan's Upper West Side, as members of both religion broke fasts related to Yom Kippur and Ramadan after sunset.
• The effect of the metal bat ban on city baseball so far.