Case Will Be Pursued As Felony

Two teenagers were arrested Friday in connection with a bomb threat that shut down Abilene Regional Airport for three hours.

Abilene police said a tip led investigators to the two boys whose names and ages were not released, according to the Associated Press.

One was taken into custody at his home Friday and the other at school.

Abilene Police Sergeant John Reid said the department will pursue the case as a felony. They are expected to be charged with making a terroristic threat, which is a 3rd degree felony.

A conviction could send them to jail for up to 10 years.

As ANN reported, city spokeswoman Lenka Wright said the threat was reported through a third party around 8:15 Thursday morning, and about 50 people were removed from the terminal. Flight departures and arrivals were delayed, and state highway 36 was also closed.

Shortly after explosive-sniffing dogs brought in from nearby Dyess Air Force Base found nothing, the airport was allowed to reopen.

"We have a plan in place for situations like this," said ABI Aviation Director Don Green. "We take every threat seriously and are thankful this ended without the threat being carried out. We appreciate our customers being so understanding... since we tried to put their safety first."

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