Crime & Safety
Kevin Edson Charged in Marathon Anniversary Bomb Scare
He allegedly had a rice cooker in his backpack and was staggering down Boylston Street, screaming "Boston Strong!"
Boston police on Tuesday night said they charged a man with creating a bomb scare near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on the anniversary of last year's bombings.
Police said the man was walking barefoot down Boylston Street in the rain and told an officer who confronted him that he had a rice cooker in his backpack.
The man, whose identity was not released by police during a 10:35 p.m. news conference, was charged with possession of a hoax device, disorderly conduct, and disturbing the peace. NECN.com reported the man is Kevin Edson, 25.
Police detonated the suspect's backpack, which had a rice cooker inside, according to Deputy police Superintendent Randall Halstead. Police also detonated another backpack found near the finish line. It was unclear what was inside that one.
"We are taking this seriously," Halstead said.
In an Instagram video posted by a bystander, the man could be seen yelling "Boston Strong" as he staggered in the middle of the street barefoot, wearing a long black veil over his face that extended to his thighs.
In last year's marathon bombings that killed three people and injured more than 260, the explosive devices were pressure cooker bombs, authorities said.
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