KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating Tuesday's hoax threat at the Ford plant in Claycomo, 8121 E. Highway U.S. 69 made an arrest Wednesday morning, according to Clay County Sheriff Will Akin.
The suspect identified as 19-year-old Zachariah A. Peterson of Independence has been charged with one count of making a terroristic threat, according to Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson.
Just before 5:30p.m. Tuesday, a call came into Ford’s safety and risk management team from a man who claimed to be armed with explosives, a rifle and a handgun. He said he was barricaded in the second floor bathroom in the paint area of the plant.
Ford ceased all production and evacuated 2200 workers at the plant. They also canceled production for the night shift. The road in front of the Ford plant on 69 Highway was also closed.
The man who called said he was an employee and was disgruntled. He gave a name that is not an actual employee of the paint area. He did name his supervisor, and that was the correct name. Law enforcement was not able to make contact with Tuesday evening. Police pinged his phone and believe the phone number that he used may be spoofed.
The Clay County Special Tactics and Response Team entered the plant to find the source of the threat. It is possible this is a swatting call, but deputies treated the threat as real. Clay County negotiators were on scene, as well, and were unable to make contact with anyone.
Law enforcement agencies finished searching the plant and did not locate anyone inside and have determined the threat was not credible.
Peterson is being held on a $150,000 bond in the Clay County Detention Center