Law enforcement officials are working to determine why a man allegedly placed bags containing pressure cookers at two sites in Lake Worth, causing hours-long traffic disruptions as investigators shut down a nearby highway for safety.
According to Lake Worth Police Chief J.T. Manoushagian, police responded to the Walmart in Lake Worth at 9:40 on Thursday morning after a man with prior felony convictions made alarming statements to his probation or parole officer who contacted police.
Manoushagian said police evacuated the Walmart to make sure there was no danger while pinging the man's phone to obtain his location.
"As they did that, we were able to determine that the suspect was moving away from the Walmart," said Manoushagian.
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Officers were given photographs of two backpacks the man was carrying, according to Manoushagian.
Officers tracked the man to Azle Avenue off Loop 820, and found a backpack in front of Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers, located at 6050 Azle Avenue, before 1 p.m. on Thursday.
Traffic on Loop 820 was stopped while Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams established a safe perimeter and began assessing the backpack and its contents.
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Technicians at the scene found potentially explosive material like campsite cookers inside the bags, but no improvised explosive device. Responders disarmed the material at the scene.
"Fort Worth Fire took the lead on the device and rendering it safe," said Manoushagian. "The other agencies focused our attention on trying to locate the suspect."
Manoushagian said investigators continued to track the man and he was taken into custody without incident by Fort Worth Police officers near Huffines and Marine Creek Elementary School.
A short while later, a second backpack was located in the 3900 block of Boat Club Road. EOD also responded and found similar material to that found in the first bag, and rendered the area safe.
Boat Club Road was also closed to all traffic from Jacksboro Highway to Azle Avenue while officials investigated the second suspicious device. It has since reopened.
All impacted roadways were back to normal by 3 p.m.
"No one was hurt, thankfully, and all things considered, this incident was handled nearly perfectly," said Manoushagian.
Lake Worth Police said Donald Scott, 43, was arrested and charged with terroristic threat and retaliation (both felonies) for his involvement in Thursday's incident. Scott is currently on federal probation for bank robbery and had two prior convictions for unlawful carrying of a weapon.
It is unclear if Scott has retained an attorney.
According to messages read by Manoushagian during a news conference Thursday afternoon, Scott said "I've had this plan since 2007 I have things stashed everywhere… when I say planned, I mean everything, even going to prison for bank robbery."
Manoushagian said his department received help from the Fort Worth Police Department, FBI, ATF and Homeland Security.
