James Derepentingy: Person Identified as Suspect For Planting a Hoax Bomb Device Near Homeland Security Vehicle

The Boston Police Department has identified the person who left a suitcase by the rear tire of a marked Department of Homeland Security vehicle then left the area in a hurry. His name is James Derepentingy, 50 years old. On Friday, he has been charged with planting a hoax device, police said.

Here is the official statement from the Boston Police Department:

UPDATE to Community Alert: BPD Arrest Suspect in Relation to Suspicious Package Downtown

At about 9:50 AM on Friday, December 4, 2015, officers from District A-1 (Downtown) responded to a radio call for a suspicious package in the area of 408 Atlantic Avenue.

Upon arrival, officers were informed that a suspicious male had dropped a suitcase by the rear tire of a marked Department of Homeland Security vehicle then left the area in a hurry. The BPD Explosive Ordinance Unit responded, conducted an investigation of the object, and then performed a controlled detonation of the suitcase. The officers deemed there to be no additional threat to the public.

At about 3:30 PM that afternoon, Boston police detectives identified the suspect as 50-year-old James Derepentigny of Lawrence and, with the assistance of Lawrence Police Department, took Derepentigny into custody in Lawrence. He is charged with Planting a Hoax Device and will be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court.