Yavapai County sheriff’s deputies arrested a man suspected of making bomb threats Thursday at a Chase Bank in the Village of Oak Creek in Sedona.

Deputies responded just before 12:30 p.m. to the Chase Bank on Highway 179, north of Verde Valley School Road.

A man, later identified as 48-year-old Michael Chase, went into the bank, demanded his account to be closed, yelled and claimed he had a bomb on him and another in his van parked outside, according to a Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Officials say Chase was wearing a poncho and carried a cell phone and box-like object. His “irrational behavior and sometimes nonsensical comments” caused concern for bank employees and customers, the news release stated. 

Bank employees activated an alarm and evacuated the building due to the threat.

A U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officer, who made first contact with Chase, tried to use pepper spray on him after Chase shattered a bank window. The spray had little effect, and a sheriff’s deputy used a Taser, according to the news release.

More deputies helped secure Chase in handcuffs.

A DPS bomb squad inspected the bank and the man’s van for any explosive devices. Nothing dangerous was found, according to YCSO.

Highway 179 near the bank was closed for nearly two hours.

Sedona police and the Arizona Department of Public Safety assisted in the incident.

Chase faces several possible charges, including terrorist threats. The investigation is ongoing.

Breaking News Reporter, Ethan Schmidt, can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @TheEthanSchmidt

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