EDGEWOOD, Md. — The Harford County Sheriff's Office has charged a man in connection to a bomb scare at an Edgewood church Tuesday afternoon.
45-year-old Steve Michael Droter has been charged with making a threat of mass violence, theft under $100,000.00, unauthorized removal of a motor vehicle, and failing to return a rental vehicle.
Deputies were first called to the Prince of Peace Church in the 2600 block of Willoughby Beach Road for a report of a suspicious vehicle.
When they got there, deputies found a box truck with Droter inside.
Officials say Droter made statements to deputies which led them to believe he had explosives in the truck.
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The church and nearby homes had to be evacuated while the State Fire Marshal and ATF responded to inspect the truck.
Multiple roads were shut down, and three area schools delayed dismissal and were placed on a modified lockdown during the investigation.
Eventually, investigators determined there were no explosives and the area was safe.
Deputies later learned the box truck was a rental and was reported stolen because it was overdue and had not yet been returned.
Droter is currently awaiting his initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner.
