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by Timothy Rutt
Fair Oaks Avenue from Woodbury Road to Washington Boulevard has been shut down by the Pasadena Police Department due to a bomb threat and a related threat to harm officers, according to a Pasadena police spokesperson.
Lt. Phlunte Riddle of the Pasadena Police Department said that a call came in at 9 AM that the Pasadena Public Health Department office at 1845 N. Fair Oaks Ave. received a bomb threat. The building was evacuated and bomb-sniffing dogs from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department were called in.
Another call came in between 9:45-10 AM, stating that if officers approached the location, "they would be harmed," RIddle said. It was then that officials closed the street from Woodbury to Washington.
"We are now investigating the surrounding locations prior to searching [for a bomb]," Riddle said.
The Special Enforcement Section (SWAT) team was being briefed as of noon today, Riddle said.
UPDATE 1:30 PM: Riddle said that police had arrested an individual who admitted making the bomb threat call.
According to Riddle, officers were working on leads on the 1700 block of N. Fair Oaks Avenue when they came across an individual who made "incriminating statements." As the focus of investigation turned to him, Riddle said he made a "complete admission" to making the bomb threat call today.
Officers, assisted by bomb dogs from the county sheriff and South Pasadena police, will still do a complete search of the Health Department office and will open up the street if it's cleared, Riddle said.
Police are not releasing the suspect's name at this time until they verify his identity. They are also investigating if he was the one behind the bomb threat made to Washington Middle and Elementary Schools yesterday.
