A Bridgeport man, Jamar Wade, 35, is facing serious charges after allegedly calling in bomb threats to Aquarion Water Company facilities in Bridgeport and Monroe. The motive behind the threats? Retaliation for his mother’s recent termination from the company.
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Bond Set at $250,000 for Suspect
Jamar Wade appeared in court on Tuesday, where Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Reid set his bond at $250,000. Wade stands accused of first-degree threatening and first-degree making a false report.
On December 20, Aquarion Water Company received a bomb threat via telephone at its Monroe Turnpike office. The male caller, later identified as Wade, claimed to have planted bombs in all three company buildings and a reservoir. The threat prompted the evacuation of Aquarion’s offices in Bridgeport and Monroe.
Aquarion Water Company Hoax: False Alarm after Thorough Investigation
Multiple police agencies, including the Stamford Police Bomb Squad, responded to the threat. However, after an extensive search, no bombs were found, and the threat was deemed a false alarm. The Stamford Bomb Squad utilized bomb-detecting dogs to ensure the safety of the Aquarion Water Company offices.
Tracing the Threat Back to the Source
Police traced the phone number used in the bomb threat to Jamar Wade. The affidavit revealed that Wade claimed to be his mother, a former Aquarion employee laid off within the past year. Wade allegedly stated, “I used to work at Aquarion as a customer service advocate. I placed bombs in all three buildings and also in the reservoir. This is (female name), you shouldn’t have laid me off.”
Arrest and Arraignment Details
Wade was arrested by the Bridgeport Police Department at his residence on Kossuth Street on December 29. The arrest was made based on an active warrant held by the Monroe Police Department. He faces charges of first-degree threatening and first-degree falsely reporting an incident. Unable to meet the court-set bond of $250,000, Wade was arraigned in Bridgeport Superior Court on January 2.
Aquarion Water Company, when approached for comment, declined to provide additional details, stating it is a police matter. Peter Fazekas, an Aquarion spokesperson, refrained from making any official statements on the ongoing investigation.
False Claims Pose Serious Consequences
The false bomb threats not only disrupted operations but also led to significant law enforcement resources being deployed for investigations. Such incidents highlight the severe consequences individuals may face for making false claims that jeopardize public safety.
The arrest affidavit suggests that Wade’s motive for the bomb threats stemmed from his mother’s termination from Aquarion. The threats, delivered in a recorded message, claimed retaliation for the layoff. Wade is now held in custody as the legal proceedings unfold.
Continued Legal Proceedings
Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Reid, during the arraignment hearing, ordered Jamar Wade to have no further contact with Aquarion Water Company if he manages to post bond. The case is set to continue, with the next court appearance scheduled for February 7.
In a chilling turn of events, the bomb threats against Aquarion Water Company have shed light on the potential consequences of false claims, with Jamar Wade facing serious charges for his alleged actions. The legal proceedings will determine the fate of the accused as the investigation unfolds.