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Police: Man, 54, Threatened To Bomb 3 Mpls Buildings

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A 54-year-old man allegedly threatened to blow up three "important" buildings in Minneapolis if his demands weren't met by authorities, according to police.

Hector Ivan Morell-Mendez of Minneapolis is in custody and is facing felony charges of terroristic threats and terroristic threats with a bomb threat. If convicted, he could face up to 7 years in prison.

According to the criminal complaint, on Tuesday, the Minnesota Emergency Communication Center (M.E.C.C.) received a 911 call from a man, later identified as Morell-Mendez, near the 1500 block of Newton Avenue North in Minneapolis.

Morell-Mendez allegedly said he was part of a terrorist organization and there were three bombs in three important buildings in Minneapolis. He said if his demands weren't met, the buildings would be blown up in five days. He also said that if police got too close to him, he'd blow up two of the bombs and attack the officers with a bomb that he had on him.

The M.E.C.C. worked with police and traced Morell-Mendez's cell phone. He was located and arrested near the corner of 16th Avenue North and Sheridan Avenue North. He still had his cell phone on him.

The complaint does not state whether or not any explosive devices were found on Morell-Mendez, or if there was any truth in his alleged claims.

Significant resources were used to find and arrest Morell-Mendez, according to police. Nearly a dozen squad cars were dispatched and the Minneapolis Bomb Squad was put on alert.

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