Police arrest man they say threatened to blow up lawmaker’s building

A man is in custody after allegedly walking into the Santa Cruz office of Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.) on Monday and threatening to blow up the building.

According to a statement provided by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, a 58-year-old “transient” asked one of Farr’s aides out to lunch, and threatened to “blow up the county building” when his offer was declined.

{mosads}The man, Stephen Brown, was found later at a nearby military recruiting office and reportedly arrested after a “struggle” with police.

Brown was charged with making a bomb threat and a terrorist threat, although the sheriff’s office said there was no evidence to suggest he had the capacity to follow through on those threats.

“I was upset to learn of the incident in my Santa Cruz office yesterday,” Farr told The Hill in an email. “I view the safety of my staff and the safety of any visitors to the office as a top priority. I commend my staff for being able to calmly diffuse the situation and for getting the gentleman to leave. I am also thankful for the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office and the Capitola Police Department for their quick response in apprehending the gentleman.”

—Updated at 6:48 p.m.