Arrests, But No Threat to Water at Reservoir
— -- Conn. Reservoir Scare Passes
E A S T O N, Conn., May 17 — It was tourism, not terrorism, behindsuspicious activity at the Easton Reservoir that led to the arrestsof three men for trespassing. Police got a call about 7:30 p.m. Thursday that three men whoappeared to be of Middle Eastern ancestry were on top of a watersupply tank with a video camera. Local police arrested the three men as they left the area in acar. Easton police then notified the FBI and state emergencyresponse officials. As it turned out, the three men are cousins from the Bridgeportarea who had recently bought a new digital video camera and werepassing by the reservoir, according to Michael J. Wolf, the top FBIagent in Connecticut. "They drove by the reservoir, they saw the reservoir. It wasbeautiful scenery. They had just acquired the camera and they werevideotaping," Wolf said. Easton Police Chief John F. Solomon said today that authoritiesacted properly. "I'm completely convinced we made the right moves when we madethe arrests last night. Notifying state and federal officials isthe thing we do in these days following Sept. 11," he said. The three men were identified as Juned Ahmed Choudhury, 21, andHassan Choudhury, 19, both of Bridgeport; and Redwander Chowdhury,19, of Fairfield. The three were released on their own recognizance and scheduledto return to court June 5. Wolf said the FBI is confident there was no act of terrorism. Healso said officials responded as they should have. "Everything was done by the book," Wolf said. State officials said testing of the water supply found nocontamination.
—The Associated Press
Flight Attendant Indicted for Alleged Bomb Threats
O R L A N D O, Fla., May 17 — A federal grand jury indicted a Frenchflight attendant for allegedly writing bomb threats aboard aLondon-to-Orlando flight, prompting a precautionary landing inIceland. Michael Philippe, 25, was indicted Thursday on charges ofthreatening to use a weapon of mass destruction against U.S.nationals, communicating false information, intimidating flightcrew members and making a false statement to the FBI. If convicted of the threat charge, he could be sentenced to lifein prison. Philippe's arraignment has not been set, Assistant U.S. AttorneyTom Turner said. Philippe's Washington, D.C.-based attorney, Brian Shaughnessy,declined comment Thursday. During a Virgin Atlantic Airways flight on Jan. 19, Philippeallegedly scrawled "Ben Laden is the best Americans must die thereis a bomb on board Al Quaida" on an air sickness bag in thelavatory. He's also accused of writing, in soap on a mirror,"American must die." Philippe then reported discovering the threats to the plane'scaptain and another flight attendant, causing the pilot to land atKeflavik, Iceland. After a search and a night's stay in Iceland,the flight resumed the next day. Philippe of Aux-les-Baines, France, was arrested at NewarkAirport on March 27. He was released from jail April 22 after posting $250,000 bond. Philippe is staying at a halfway house in Orlando, and hiswhereabouts are being electronically monitored.
—The Associated Press
Rumsfeld Hails Armed Forces Day
A N D R E W S A I R F O R C E B A S E, Md., May 17 — Top military leaders are kicking off the weekend celebrations for Saturday's ArmedForces Day. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says the 52nd annualcelebration is particularly significant since it comes as Americais waging the war on terrorism.Speaking at an open house at Andrews Air Force Base inMaryland, General Richard Myers says those in uniform are in a "pitchedbattle" to defend America's liberty and way of life. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says military personnel aredemonstrating a strong commitment to duty and country.The war against terror was demonstrating that "the United States can and will adapt to meet any challenge to peace and to freedom," he said.
—The Associated Press