close
close

Association-anemone

Bite-sized brilliance in every update

A Florida man has been arrested after explosive devices were found in a casino toilet
asane

A Florida man has been arrested after explosive devices were found in a casino toilet

Bryan Robert Eckley, 46, of Tampa, was arrested Oct. 30 and charged with two counts of making and placing destructive devices with intent to injure, (Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office)

Bryan Robert Eckley, 46, of Tampa, was arrested Oct. 30 and charged with two counts of making and placing destructive devices with intent to injure, (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)

A Florida man was arrested after allegedly hiding two radio-controlled explosive devices in the toilets of a casino, police said.

Bryan Robert Eckley, 46, of Tampawas arrested on October 30 and charged with two counts of making and placing destructive devices with intent to injure, the Florida Department of Law enforcement said in a release Thursday.

“Eckley did everything he could to hide from law enforcement,” said FDLE Tampa Bay Special Agent Mark Brutnell. “But thanks to the exceptional work of this investigative and forensic team, he will be held accountable for his actions.”

The investigation began Sept. 30 in Tampa after the suspect allegedly hid the devices in two restrooms at a local casino.

Casino employees found the devices before they could cause damage.

Authorities did not name the casino in the press release, but the casino Tampa Bay Times reports that the devices were found in the city Hard Rock Casino.

According to an arrest warrant, the devices “presented a risk of serious bodily injury to anyone in the vicinity” if they detonated, the newspaper reported.

Investigators learned that a few days earlier, a man had been acting suspiciously at the casino. The man was seen driving a white Ford Explorer, and after extensive interviews, surveillance and analytical work, investigators tracked the vehicle to Eckley.

Days before planting the explosive devices, Eckley was arrested by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in an unrelated case of aggravated assault with a firearm. Forensic analysts linked evidence from that case to the devices.

“This case is a shining example of how our local and state law enforcement agencies work together to make our community safe. When you intentionally try to hurt innocent people, you will be held accountable by my office,” added District Attorney Suzy Lopez. “I want to commend each of our law enforcement partners for their swift actions that secured the arrest and prosecution of this defendant.”

Eckley was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail. His pretrial detention hearing is scheduled for November 5.