Bicyclist with bizarre bomb-like device stopped by police at Central Park race after Boston Marathon bombing
By KIRSTAN CONLEY - The NY Post
A fool who bicycled past a Central Park running race with a timer in his backpack caused a bomb scare yesterday, as jittery cops pulled out all the stops to make sure security was ramped up in light of the Boston Marathon bombing last week, officials said.
The Harlem man seemed to do everything he could to raise a terror alert, as he refused to stop pedaling when confronted by race organizers. They wanted him to get out of a lane reserved for participants in the City Parks Foundation Run for Parks, near West 80th Street at 8 a.m., cops said.
When an officer asked what was in the backpack, he said a “homemade timer.” Inside, cops spotted a box with several wires sticking out.
When the cyclist tried to use his cellphone, the spooked officer grabbed it from his hands.
The bomb squad responded and racers were diverted for safety until it was determined the device was harmless.
Since the man had no ID, cops went to his house to verify his address. Police said he is in the country on a student visa.
The man — whose identity wasn’t released — told cops he was going to a pool in New Jersey, to use his timer for “kayak polo.”
Cops said he didn’t come up on any terror-watch lists.
Security was heavy in the wake of the Boston blasts that killed three and wounded scores of spectators.
Runners at the 9K race in Central Park had to put all their belongings in clear plastic bags. Trash bins were removed from the route, and there were fewer porta-potties.
“I didn’t turn a corner without seeing a police officer, and most of them were clapping for us as we ran,” said Jon Karadimas, 24, a graphic designer from the Upper East Side.
Runners wore wear black ribbons and “I Run for Boston” back bibs. Donations were raised for the One Fund Boston.
The 9/11 Memorial 5K Run/Walk from Pier 57 through Battery Park to the World Trade Center site also featured added security.
At about 10 a.m., cops cited a New Jersey woman for leaving an unattended bag under an empty stroller while she went to the bathroom, a source said.
Security was heavy in the wake of the Boston blasts that killed three and wounded scores of spectators.
Runners at the 9K race in Central Park had to put all their belongings in clear plastic bags. Trash bins are removed from the route and there are fewer rest stops.
“I didn’t turn a corner without seeing a police officer and most of them were clapping for us as we ran,” said Jon Karadimas, 24, a graphic designer from the Upper East Side.
Runners wore wear black ribbons and “I Run for Boston” back bibs. Donations being raised for the One Fund Boston.
The 9/11 Memorial 5K Run/Walk from Pier 57 through Battery Park to the World Trade Center site also featured added security.
Meanwhile, in London, runners observed 30 seconds of silence before the start of that city’s marathon, where participants and spectators wore black ribbons to show solidarity with Boston for last Monday’s attack that killed three. There were no reported incidents.
Security was heightened for the race, with officers on hand to secure the area for the runners and for an estimated 500,000 spectators.
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Originally Posted by Noilly Pratt
