The Maine State Police arrested a 24-year-old Cornish man on Monday after he allegedly made a credible bomb threat against the University of New England in Biddeford.
According to the Maine State Fire Marshal, the State Police, in coordination with the Biddeford Police Department, investigated a report that Blake Tibbetts, 24, of Cornish, had made “concerning” statements about UNE’s Biddeford campus while at a restaurant in Cornish.
According to the Marshal, Tibbetts’ comments referenced potential threats to the college campus.
The threats were deemed credible enough to warrant police detaining Tibbetts and the involvement of the FBI.
Law enforcement searched Tibbetts’ home on Old Limington Road in Cornish and allegedly discovered “bomb-making materials.” The Fire Marshal did not specify whether any explosive devices had actually been placed on the campus and provided no information on a possible motive.
Tibbetts was transported to a local hospital for evaluation before being transferred to the York County Jail. He is currently being held on a $500,000 bail and faces charges of terrorizing, criminal use of explosives, and criminal attempt to cause a catastrophe.
The Fire Marshal’s Office is continuing the investigation, and they are currently releasing no further details. There is no known active threat to UNE.
The Maine Wire reached out to UNE, asking for any additional details on the situation. They were able to provide the internal communication they sent to students regarding the incident. That statement expressed a belief that the suspect acted alone, and thanked law enforcement for their quick response to the “credible” threats.
The University did not specify whether any device was actually planted on campus.
