Man charged in Ithaca Commons bomb scare

Ithaca (WSYR-TV) – A suspect has been charged with placing a false bomb in the Ithaca Commons earlier this month. Part of the outdoor shopping area was closed for hours during the October 11 incident.

Matthew Whitney, 37, of Ithaca was arrested after an investigation by Ithaca Police and the FBI.

Police say a box with writing on it was left outside the Bank of America building. Police would not say what was written on the box.

The building and others nearby were evacuated and people were asked to avoid the area. Police eventually determined the box was not a threat.

Whitney was charged with Placing a False Bomb or Hazardous Substance, a felony. He was arraigned in Ithaca City Court and released. He will have to return to court in the future.