A homeless man was taken into custody on Tuesday after he threatened to bomb a Jewish school in Miami Beach while claiming to be a member of the terrorist group Hamas.
Police say 42-year-old Alier Ojedasalas approached an armed school security guard wearing a Yarmulke and claimed to be a member of Hamas while carrying a bag he said contained C4 explosives.
The Miami Beach Police Department says the incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday near Shalom Montessori School, located at 3790 Prairie Avenue in Miami Beach.
When confronted by the security guard, Ojedasalas allegedly made the claim of Hamas affiliation and revealed the supposed explosives.
The school security guard alerted the school and initiated a lockdown, moving students and staff to a safe area.
Responding authorities detained Ojedasalas.
After questioning him throughout the day, Miami Beach police stated there is no active threat to the community.
Ojedasalas is facing felony charges of threatening to use explosives for prejudiced purposes, disturbing school or religious assemblies with prejudiced purposes, harassing or intimidating religious or ethnic heritage assemblies, and assault with prejudice against religious purposes.
He remains in custody at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.