Man claiming to have bomb arrested after climbing Ferris wheel on Santa Monica Pier
A man who claimed to be armed with a bomb has been arrested after he climbed the Ferris wheel on the Santa Monica Pier early Monday afternoon.
According to Santa Monica Police Department, the man told people that he had a bomb before climbing the ride at around 3:30 p.m.
Police say that the man continued to shout at officers below, but due to the noise outside, they are unable to hear what he's saying as he was sitting directly in the center of the 85-foot tall ride.
Just before 4:30 p.m., the man could be seen climbing closer to the pier as he appeared to be speaking with law enforcement before he was finally taken into custody.
It remains unclear exactly what prompted him to climb the ride.
On Tuesday, authorities identified the suspect as 37-year-old Garden Grove resident Juan Gonzalez. He was booked on suspicion of making criminal threats, making a false bomb threat to authorities and resisting arrest.
Despite the suspect's claims, investigators did not locate any sort of incendiary device upon his arrest.
"Gonzalez was very agitated and upset and continued to make bomb threats to the officers negotiating with him," police said in a statement Tuesday. "The incident lasted for more than an hour before Gonzalez climbed down low enough for officers to take him into custody. Gonzalez was not in possession of an explosive device or any other weapons."
With SkyCal overhead, Santa Monica Fire Department responders could be seen using a "cherry picker" truck, with an elevated lift platform to reach the riders who were still on the Ferris wheel.
Dozens of onlookers could also be seen watching the incident unfold from the pier.
