TOWSON, Md. (WNEW) - Police are searching for a seemingly disturbed man who crashed a large truck into the lobby of Baltimore television station WMAR Tuesday morning.
The man, who authorities say may be armed, initially tried to gain entry to the station while screaming 'Let me in!' and claiming that he was God, according to WMAR reporter Brian Kuebler. When he was denied access, the man got into a nearby landscaping truck and rammed the building's lobby at least three times, Kuebler says.
Someone inside the building first called 911 at 11:45 a.m. to report the man's bizarre behavior, according to Baltimore County Police. Within minutes a second call was placed to report that a truck had crashed into the lobby.
The truck was stolen from a Montgomery County landscaping company, according to Kuebler.
The truck came to rest completely inside the lobby of the station, according to a tweet by WMAR's digital producer.
The man was not inside the truck when officers arrived at the building, authorities say. A search of the building began a short time later.
Baltimore County Police cannot confirm whether the man is armed.
Authorities say they have no information about the man's identity or motive for breaching the building.
Police say it is possible there are people still sheltering in place within the building, although WMAR news director says all employees have been accounted for. A total of 55 people were evacuated from the building.
There are no reports of injuries or shots being fired, according to authorities.
The ABC affiliate is warning people to stay clear of the station, located in the 6400 block of York Road in Towson, just north of Baltimore city limits. York Road is closed from Regester Avenue to Walker Avenue.
SWAT team members are among a large law enforcement contingent to have arrived at the station. Maryland State Police officers are assisting local authorities at the scene.
Footage from a news helicopter circling above the station showed bomb sniffing dogs and a robot enter the building.
Mike Masco, a meteorologist at the station, reports the man has made it to the second floor of the building. Police discovered weapons inside the truck, according to Masco.
Station employees have been evacuated and some are congregating at a nearby shopping center.
Nearby St. Pius X school was placed on lockdown as a precaution but that since has been lifted. School officials said that all students and staff are safe.
Baltimore County Public Schools officials say area schools have not been impacted by the situation.
Stay away from ABC2 on York road in Towson. Person just rammed station with dump truck. It's a crime scene. Male suspect, potentially armed.- (@ABC2NEWS) May 13, 2014
Police helicopters circling now .. guy made it to second floor of #abc2 http://t.co/J8s7iISoFG- Mike Masco (@MascoFromABC2) May 13, 2014
@ cbsbaltimore WMAR York Road http://t.co/APgmSG10J1- Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) May 13, 2014
Bomb sniffing dog close to @ ABC2NEWS after a truck ran into our obby. All colleagues are fine. #thisissurreal http://t.co/wYFQyZGroi- Cheryl Conner (@CherylfromABC2) May 13, 2014
Um...so this just got real. #Team2 http://t.co/FSsQUF88TT- Brian Kuebler (@BrianfromABC2) May 13, 2014 This story will be updated.
Original Post By: http://ift.tt/RMPDQv
{ 0 comments... read them below or add one }
Post a Comment