Michigan Man Calls in Bomb Threat After Missing Flight at Metro

Air travel has come into question lately from air traffic controller shortages and equipment failures, to safety issues with airplanes and close calls on runways. One or more or these can cause your flight to be delayed or even cancelled.

How a Missed Flight Led to a Bomb Threat

Thankfully, we haven't had too many issues at our major Michigan flight hubs like Detroit's Metro Airport or Flint's Bishop International Airport. In fact, a massive training exercise just played out last month at Bishop Airport to reinforce current emergency procedures.

READ MORE: TSA Bans Item from Checked Bags in Michigan

How far would you go to stop a plane you're booked on when they've already boarded and you missed your flight? Would you try to get a later flight? Would you beg the attendant at the gate to let you on? Or would you come up with the ridiculous idea to call in a bomb threat to Michigan's busiest airport?

This is what happened last Thursday morning at Detroit Metro. Late last week a frightening incident took place at Metro Airport after 23-year-old John Charles Robinson from Monroe missed a Spirit Airlines flight to Los Angeles.

Authorities Respond to the Bomb Threat at Detroit Metro

Using his own cell phone, a device he had owned for at least six years, Robinson called the airline to inform them that there was a bomb onboard the plane. In a statement United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. from the Eastern District of Michigan United States Attorney’s Office said that, “During the call Robinson stated in part, ‘I was calling about 2145 because I have information about that flight,’ and ‘there’s gonna be someone who’s gonna try to blow up the airport,’ and ‘there’s gonna be someone that’s gonna try to blow up that flight.’”

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His statement in the affidavit continued, “After giving a description of an individual he then stated: ‘they’re going to be carrying a bomb through the TSA,’ and ‘they’re still threatening to do it, they’re still [attempting] to do it. They said it’s not going to be able to be detected. Please don’t let that flight board.’”

What Happened Next: Evacuations and Investigation

Flight 2145 departing from Detroit to Los Angeles was immediately cancelled and authorities responded. The FBI with help from bomb-sniffing dogs secured cleared the plane. However this was after all passengers and crew were evacuated.

Robinson was arrested by police when investigators discovered that he was booked on another flight and tried to board. Once apprehended he confirmed that he called from his personal cell phone. He is facing two separate charges and will be in court on June 27th.