Philly man arrested after threatening to ‘shoot up’ Montco Republican Commitee Office: DA
WHITPAIN TWP., Pa. - A 39-year-old man of Philadelphia is facing charges after officials say he made threats against the Montgomery County Republican Committee Office last weekend.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Whitpain Township Police Chief Kenneth Lawson announced the arrest of Edward Cieri Jr., 39, of Philadelphia, for threats he made against a staffer at the Montgomery County Republican Committee and its office.
Officials say on Saturday, October 26, Whitpain Police were dispatched at 11:18 a.m. to the Montgomery County Republican Committee Office on Penllyn Blue Bell Pike in Whitpain Township.
A staffer reported that a male called the office and called the staffer a homophobic slur.
The staffer responded by mocking the male caller.
They say the caller then threatened to shoot the staffer and told him that he would "shoot the place up" or "blow it up."
Whitpain Police traced the phone called to Cieri.
"This defendant crossed the line into criminal behavior when he threatened to physically harm a political staffer and threatened violence against a political office," said DA Steele. "That criminal behavior will not vbe tolerated in Montgomery County. We are committed to a fair, safe and free election, and all of Montgomery County law enforcement is committed to acting swiftly to investigate any threat of violence related to this election and arrest the individuals involved."
Edward Cieri Jr., 39, of Philadelphia has been arrested and charged with Threatening to Place Weapons of Mass Destruction, two counts of Terroristic Threats and Harassment. | Montgomery County District Attorney's Office
Cieri was arrested and charged with Threatening to Place Weapons of Mass Destruction, two counts of Terroristic Threats and Harassment.
He was arraigned and bail was set at $35,000 unsecured, with the following conditions: he must not contact the victim, he must stay away from all Republican Committee offices and he may not possess firearms.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on November 14.