Man arrested over threats to firebomb Kalama Police Station
Wednesday, May 23, 2007 6:47 AM PDT
By Leila Summers
Printable version
E-mail this articleA 46-year-old man was arrested after he threatened to "fire bomb" the Kalama Police Station on Tuesday morning.
Steven Merle Prouty, a Kalama resident, reportedly was carrying three glass bottles half-full of gasoline, handkerchiefs and a lighter when he told an employee of the neighboring Chevron gas station of his plan, said Sgt. Steve Parker of the Kalama Police Department. The employee then notified police around 11:30 a.m.
Prouty is believed to have mental problems, said Parker, who has dealt with him in the past. The suspect told Parker that he "heard voices that said he should blow up the police department," the officer reported.
When Parker walked outside he saw Prouty talking to a milk truck driver about hydrogen-powered engines.
"That distraction might have kept him from doing what he came downtown to do," Parker said.
The suspect cooperated when handcuffed by police.
Kalama Police Chief Bruce Hall said he was concerned for the safety of the police clerk, whose desk sits near the station entrance.
During his career, Hall said he's responded to bomb threats in schools, but "I've never had somebody stand outside a police station with (that) capacity."
Prouty was booked into the Cowlitz County Jail Tuesday and charged on suspicion of attempted first-degree arson and threats to bomb or injury property. Bail: $100,000.
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