News

Nov 04, 2024

Roofer charged with leaving remote control explosives in casino toilet

A Florida man has been charged with leaving radio-controlled bombs in the bathroom of a local casino — days after he was released on bail for allegedly firing shots in a fight “about politics,”

A Florida man has been charged with leaving radio-controlled bombs in the bathroom of a local casino — days after he was released on bail for allegedly firing shots in a fight “about politics,” according to cops.

Bryan Robert Eckley, 46, was arrested Wednesday after allegedly leaving two radio-controlled “improvised explosive devices” inside two male restrooms at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLA) Commissioner Mark Glass told a press conference.

A casino worker discovered one of the explosives in the bathroom on Sept. 30, prompting a full evacuation as the bomb squad found the other device, cops said.

One was found near a gas line, with both placed in a way that “had they detonated, it posed a risk of serious bodily injury to anyone in the vicinity,” according to a warrant obtained by the Tampa Bay Times.

It was not immediately clear why Eckley, who owns a roofing company, is thought to have targeted the casino.

However, just days earlier, he had been arrested for fighting with a man “over “about politics,” according to the warrant, which did not elaborate on exactly what political subject sparked the showdown.

At one point, Eckley left the unidentified victim’s home — returning with two handguns and a rifle, the affidavit said. As they continued arguing, he then pointed the rifle at the other man before firing a shot into the air, according to the affidavit.

Eckley was charged with aggravated assault with a firearm and discharging a firearm on public or private property and was released on Sept. 27 after posting a $5,500 bond, court records show.

Florida forensic analysts were able to tie evidence from that case to the abandoned explosives, police said.

He was allegedly spotted acting suspiciously in the casino and drove off in a white Ford Explorer a few days before the devices were located. After lengthy analytical work and interviews, investigators identified the man as Eckley, cops said.

Eckley then “did everything he could to hide from law enforcement,” said FDLE Tampa Bay Special Agent in Charge Mark Brutnell.

“But thanks to the exceptional work of this investigative and forensic team, he will be held accountable for his actions,” Brutnell said.

Eckley has been charged with two counts of making, possessing, throwing, projecting, placing, or discharging any destructive device, court documents show.

He owns a Tampa roofing company called ProTex Roofing and attended the University of Florida for business and finance, according to jail records obtained by the Tampa Bay Times.

Eckley was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail. His pretrial detention hearing is scheduled for November 5th.