MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) - A man has been taken into custody after leading police officers on a chase and threatening to blow up two schools in Miami Gardens.
The driver of the black Chevrolet Tahoe SUV fled from the area of Northwest 159th Street and 42nd Avenue, just after 3 p.m., Thursday.
Opa-locka Police responded to a domestic incident prior to the chase.
Opa-locka Police Chief James Dobson said, “A female advised that her ex-boyfriend basically threatened her life, her apartment complex, where she lives, to blow it up. She has some small children and older children, and he threatened to blow up both schools where the children attend.”
The ex-boyfriend, later identified as William Richard, allegedly threatened to blow up Miami Central Senior High School and Lakeview Elementary School, where the children attend class.
Both schools were placed on lockdown until investigators gave the “all-clear.”
After making the threats, officials said Richard jumped into the SUV, drove erratically, crashed into three vehicles and led police on a chase.
Richard bailed out at Northwest Sixth Avenue and 153rd Street and was quickly apprehended by police.
He faces charges that include three counts of making false reports of planting a bomb, battery on a police officer, running from police, tampering with evidence and possession of narcotics.
Officials are currently investigating the threats.
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