EagleVail man faces felony charge for allegedly phoning in three bomb threats
Carl Krencis was arrested when police spotted him among SunRiver evacuees
Special to the Daliy
Hundreds of people were forced to evacuate their EagleVail homes late Sunday night and early Monday after a local man allegedly phoned in three fake bomb threats.
Carl Joseph Krencis, 24, of EagleVail, was arrested around 2 a.m. Monday morning when police spotted him among the people who were forced to evacuate because of his alleged threats, according to the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office.
Krencis is accused of calling 911 with his first bomb threat at around 10:30 p.m. Sunday.
Krencis then allegedly followed his original bomb threat with two more phone calls to emergency dispatchers, the first reportedly exclaiming that “I do what I want. F— you pigs,” and the second exclaiming that, “Colorado pigs suck,” according to court statements.
Law enforcement responded quickly, securing the 64-unit SunRiver complex and surrounding area. Evacuation orders went out around 11 p.m., and a shelter for evacuees was set up in Avon at the transit center.
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Just before 2 a.m., Krencis was spotted and arrested at that evacuation point.
Investigators were able to find Krencis quickly because he used his own phone to call in the bomb threats, according to the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office.
Law enforcement teams searched the SunRiver condominium complex and found nothing. Law enforcement officials also searched the apartment of Krencis, where he lived with roommates and found nothing there either.
Just before 2:30 a.m. the complex was determined safe and residents were allowed to return to their homes.
In court Monday afternoon
Krencis made his first court appearance Monday afternoon before Eagle County Judge Rachel Fresquez. Krencis stood at the jail podium with his hands on both sides of the upper surface, shifting back and forth and hanging his head.
He is booked on charges of false reporting of explosives, a felony, and false reporting for providing false information to authorities. He will also be charged with felony menacing, Deputy District Attorney Johnny Lombardi told Judge Fresquez.
“He put people at risk. Using the word bomb causes people to be in fear and clearly amounts to menacing,” Lombardi said.
If he is convicted, Krencis faces up to two years in prison and fines up to $100,000.
Lombardi asked for $25,000 bond. Krencis’ defense attorney, Terry O’Connor, asked that his client’s bond remain at $2,000. Krencis has lived in the valley for more than five years. He has steady employment and is attending college.
Judge Fresquez set his bond at $7,500, banned him from the SunRiver complex and sent him back to jail after a hearing lasting about 10 minutes Monday afternoon.
“There were quite a few people perhaps put at risk or at the very least inconvenienced,” Judge Fresquez said.
Thirteen agencies responded to the bomb threats: the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado State Patrol, Avon Police Department, Vail Police Department, Vail Public Safety Communications Center, Eagle River Fire Protection District, Eagle County Paramedics, Colorado Department of Transportation, ECO Transit, Salvation Army Vail Valley, town of Avon and Eagle County Emergency Management. Jefferson County Bomb Squad provided guidance and was put on notice during the search of the building.
The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office extended its thanks to the SunRiver condominium occupants and management for their cooperation and to all the involved agencies that assisted.
Krencis is back in Judge Fresquez’ court at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 17.
