Man accused of fake bomb threat at Coloma Township bank

COLOMA TOWNSHIP, Mich. - A man was arrested after allegedly threatening employees and customers at a bank with a bomb that turned out to be fake, according to the Coloma township Police Department.

At 9:22 a.m. Thursday, police were called to the bank in the 6500 block of Paw Paw Ave. for the threat.

According to dispatch, a man, later identified as John LaPlante, Jr., had entered the bank and told staff and customers he had a bomb and for everyone to leave.

When police arrived, they found LaPlante standing outside near the bank's front door.

When he saw police, LaPlante immediately laid on the ground and put his hands behind his back.

He told police he might have a bomb on him or that there might be a bomb inside the bank.

The immediate area was closed and nearby businesses were evacuated while the Berrien County Bomb Squad investigated.

When the bomb squad arrived, they searched LaPlante before he was taken into custody without incident.

Investigators searched the bank and surrounding areas and found no bomb.

LaPlante was taken to the Berrien County Jail on a charge related to the false bomb threat.

There is no further threat to the community.