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Man who left suspicious package at KTVQ in Billings receiving mental health treatment

Posted at 4:03 PM, Oct 30, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-30 18:03:55-04

BILLINGS – The man suspected of placing suspicious devices in front of the Q2 studio in downtown Billings Monday has been identified and taken to Billings Clinic for mental health treatment.

Billings Police Lt. Brandon Wooley said Tuesday in a news release that the 40-year-old man was cooperative. He told police he was a Star Wars fan and the “suspicious devices” were homemade sabers, which he left at Q2 because he knew cameras were present and the items would be safe.

He added that he was recently a theft victim and never intended to disrupt or cause harm.

On Monday afternoon, the man left a clear plastic tote box and a second device that appeared to be wrapped in wire outside a side entrance at Q2. The Billings police bomb squad was called and blocked North 32nd Street for a few hours before detonating both items with a robot using water spray.

No one was injured, no Q2 property was damaged and no employees were evacuated.

Billings police said they are not identifying the man because he is not facing criminal charges as he seeks mental health treatment.

Related: Two suspicious items in front of Q2 building detonated by Billings police, who suspect ‘scare tactic’