The 20-year-old has a TikTok account and a YouTube channel where he makes videos pranking police officers, restaurant employees and others for his combined audience of almost 300,000 people. Police said in the report Brienza told them he was using his glasses to film a video for his social media account. — Reuters
A New York man was arrested at a South Carolina airport after he told law enforcement he had weapons and drugs, according to a police report.
Thomas Anthony Brienza, 20, wore Ray-Ban glasses with a built-in-camera on Saturday, Aug 24, as he approached two officers standing in the ticketing area of the Charleston International Airport.
According to the report shared with McClatchy News by airport authorities, Brienza told officers he “didn’t want any problems”.He said he was in possession of a bomb and a handgun and had fentanyl in a car parked outside, authorities said.
Three minutes later, Brienza was arrested and charged with possession or attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction for an act of terrorism, officials said.
But other than a brown eyeglass case in his left pocket, Brienza didn’t have anything on his person that resembled a weapon, officers said. When police searched him and the car outside, they found no weapons or drugs, according to the report.
The 20-year-old has a TikTok account and a YouTube channel where he makes videos pranking police officers, restaurant employees and others for his combined audience of almost 300,000 people.
Police said in the report Brienza told them he was using his glasses to film a video for his social media account.
“He has never done anything this stupid,” Brienza’s friend, who was in the car outside, told police officers.
Brienza’s friend said they were at the airport to pick up and drop off other friends who flew in for a visit to West Columbia.
The TikToker also told authorities he didn’t realise the severity of his initial statement, according to the report.
Officials said Brienza could be placed on a no-fly list. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison under the “bomb hoax” clause.
Brienza was taken to the Charleston County Detention Center and released on Aug 25 after posting a US$100,000 bond, according to the report.
He posted a TikTok video a few days after saying “life is amazing don’t take it for granted ever.” Several users commented on the incident, including one user who said “he made it out”.
The investigation is ongoing, according to officials. – The Charlotte Observer/Tribune News Service
