Bomb-threat driver detained

A Kentucky man who authorities said threatened President Bush led police on a high-speed chase in a stolen butane tank wagon through southeastern Tennessee yesterday, CNN reported. The man faced a variety of charges late Sunday, Tennessee officials said. The sheriff's department in Bradley County, which is north of Chattanooga, received a phone call from the suspect Sunday, according to Beth Womack

Tim Parry

April 1, 2002

The sheriff's department in Bradley County, which is north of Chattanooga, received a phone call from the suspect Sunday, according to Beth Womack of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. He reportedly told authorities he was sitting at a gas station in Charleston, TN, with a 3,000-lb bomb.

Branch was taken into custody and sent to Bradley County jail. Police said they found no evidence of a bomb. The Secret Service also was called in on the case because of the comments Branch allegedly made about the president.

The FBI warned Americans on Thursday that terrorists may be planning a truck bombing, though the agency did not reveal evidence of any specific threats.