LaGuardia terminal evacuated after irate customer's bomb threat

Oct. 14 (UPI) -- A terminal at LaGuardia International Airport in New York was evacuated Saturday after a disgruntled customer told a ticket agent there was a bomb in his bag.

Port Authority police responded and evacuated people to the sidewalk outside Terminal B and officers diverted traffic away from the area. The New York Police Department bomb squad responded and investigated the bag the man was carrying, determining the threat was a hoax.

Witnesses said the suspect, John Park, 70, of Farmington, Mich., was attempting to purchase a ticket at the Spirit Airline counter Saturday morning when he began arguing with the employee. The New York Daily News reported the fight was over a $50 bag fee.

The suspect became irate and left told the ticket agent to keep his bag, which he said contained a bomb.

Port Authority police arrested Park and a spokesman said charges are pending.

The airport said normal operations resumed by 9:30 a.m.