Man Detained After Threat To Suicide Bomb VTA Train; No Explosives Found
SANTA CLARA (CBS SF) -- A 42-year-old man who allegedly threatened to carry out a suicide bombing on a Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority vehicle Wednesday morning wasn't found with any explosives, transit agency and sheriff's officials said.
Jonathan Keim, of San Jose, allegedly contacted VTA officials around 9:30 a.m. and threatened to set off a bomb on one of the agency's vehicles, Santa Clara County sheriff's Sgt. Richard Glennon said.
Keim also allegedly alerted media outlets of his plan and threatened public officials, Glennon said.
Transit patrol officers from the sheriff's office searched for the suspect, who they found about two hours later at a fast food restaurant, according to Glennon.
Authorities were unable to find any explosive devices or materials on Keim during his arrest and a search warrant served at his home with assistance from K-9 units also came up empty, Glennon said.
Deputies also looked at VTA properties near where the suspect was arrested and didn't find any explosives, he said.
Investigators are working to review security cameras throughout the transit system Wednesday afternoon for any footage substantiating Keim's claims, according to Glennon.
All VTA vehicles were stopped and searched following the threat, VTA spokeswoman Stacey Hendler Ross said.
Agency officials received a phone call and email from Keim, prompting them to alert their employees and operators to look out for Keim, who was believed to be armed, according to Hendler Ross.
VTA service resumed normal service shortly after noon, transit agency officials said.
"I want to thank Sheriff Laurie Smith and the Sheriff's Transit Patrol Division for their swift action in concluding today's bomb threat against VTA," Santa Clara County Supervisor and VTA board of directors chairwoman Cindy Chavez said in a statement.
"Everyone in the community, especially those who ride public transit, is grateful. We also appreciate the work of all the other agencies that helped in the case," Chavez said.
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