Police: Man Threatened to Blow Up Willowbrook Mall

A 53-year-old man was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon after he threatened to blow up the Willowbrook Mall, said Wayne Police Lt. Wayne Lougheed.

John J. Alexander III contacted the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from a cell phone near the NJ Transit bus station in the Williowbrook Mall parking lot shortly before 4 p.m. saying he would be “blowing up” the mall, Lougheed said.

Someone near Alexander overheard him speak to the department on the phone, Lougheed said. Wayne police were notified of the situation, Lougheed said.

After speaking with him, police determined that Alexander would undergo a psychiatric evaluation, Lougheed said.

Alexander, who is homeless but stays in the King’s Inn on Route 46, was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson by the Wayne First Aid Squad to be evaluated, Lougheed said.

Criminal charges are pending, Lougheed said. Alexander could be charged with creating a false public alarm, Lougheed said.

Alexander was not found to be under the influence of any controlled dangerous substances, Lougheed said.

Police blocked off the bus stop for part of the afternoon until the incident was taken care of.