On Tuesday 4 March the Sierra Vista Police Department (SVPD) in Arizona USA arrested a man after he allegedly made a threat against cyclists on Facebook.

Police report a Sierra Vista city employee noticed a threatening post on a Facebook page promoting the El Tour de Zona 3 stage cycling event taking place 20-23 March, with someone posting, “They ride up Charleston Road, I’m running them over.”

Since El Tour de Zona was planning to use Charlston Road the comment was considered a threat to public safety, with the incident forwarded to SVPD for investigation. An officer reviewed the Facebook evidence, contacted the subject, interviewed him and determined an arrested was warranted. The man was charged with Threatening or Intimidating and booked into the Cochise County Jail.

“We take all threats seriously,” SVPD Cpl. Scott Borgstadt said of the case. “Even if the person making the statement claims it was just a joke or they didn’t mean it, we will investigate and make an arrest if there is probable cause.”

Arizona law states ARS 13-1202 Threatening or Intimidating is a Class 1 misdemeanor crime, unless gang related, with penalties up to 6 months in jail and/or up to $2500 in fines if found guilty.

The man arrested has not been publicly identified since it is SVPD policy to only publish names, photographs, or other identifying information if an individual poses a clear and present threat to public safety.

Photo Credit: SVPD

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