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16-year-old boy arrested, accused of calling in school bomb threat hoax

Posted at 6:58 AM, Aug 22, 2014
and last updated 2014-08-22 19:01:47-04

SARATOGA SPRINGS, Utah - Authorities have arrested a 16-year-old boy accused of making a bomb threat on the first day of class.

Police said the teen is a former student of Westlake High School.

Officials said they traced the suspect's IP address after he made the call through Skype to allegedly report the threat at Westlake High School Tuesday.

Saratoga Springs officers said the suspect also made threats against officers, their families, students and staff on Facebook.

Officers said the teen has made similar threats previously in other states.

Police said the teen's motive was "general disdain for law enforcement."

The teen, whose identity has not been confirmed, is now facing felony charges.

He could be charged for making terroristic  threats involving weapons of mass destruction, 911 abuse and for other threats of violence.

Officials said they are working to decide if the teen will be charged as an adult.

Saratoga Springs Police Chief Andrew Burton said authorities were called about 3 a.m. Tuesday, what was supposed to be the first day of class.

He said a suspect called in a rather elaborate bomb threat through Skype.

The suspect said 10 devices were planted in the school and asked for a $10 million ransom to be put in an offshore account.

Chief Burton said the account number was put on a piece of paper and placed in the school auditorium.

The caller told authorities if police found and defused the bomb, he would come to the school strapped with explosives and carrying guns.

Students started arriving at 6 a.m. and were out of the school by 7:15 a.m. while bomb-sniffing dogs swept the buildings.

No devices were ever found.

However, classes were canceled for the day.

Authorities said there were two previous incidents at the school just days before.

A person was reported on the roof and ceiling tiles were reported moved in a classroom.

Students returned to school Wednesday.