Tense Situation At Bank

A phone threat to burn a Hampton Bays bank to the ground intensified when bank personnel realized the caller was inside the bank at that very moment.

The Southampton Town Police Department received a chilling phone call at around noon on Wednesday, July 24. A man threatened to blow up a branch of TD Bank located at 191 West Montauk Highway. Employees hurriedly shut down the branch and went about the business of securing the premises. Then they realized the call had come from within.

Officers from the police department responded and were able to take the man into custody.

He was identified as John Hudson, 55, of Priscilla Avenue in Riverhead, and charged with making a terroristic threat, a class D felony.

Hudson left his vehicle parked just outside the bank, and police found more reason for concern: there were two rifles and a quantity of ammunition. The firearms were licensed, police pointed out, though they were taken into custody anyway.

Hudson was held for a court appearance; police are asking for help from the public. Call the Southampton Town Police at 631-728-5000, the Southampton Town Detective Division at 631-702-2230, or the Crime Hotline at 631-728-3454.

rmurphy@indyeastend.com