Simi Valley (CBS) — A Simi Valley teen has been arrested as a suspect in an extortion attempt involving Las Vegas casinos and hotels, according to authorities.
The teen reportedly made bomb threats saying he would blow up the buildings if large sums of money were not delivered to him.
The calls, say authorities, were placed between July 28 and August 8th.
Through an investigation, officials said they identified an adult and juvenile suspect.
The older of the two suspects, identified as Zachary Jackson, was booked into the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Detention Center on charges of attempted extortion and making false bomb threats.
Jackson is 18. A 16-year-old was also questioned but released.
Police said the suspects used devices to disguise their voices but the calls were traced.
Wednesday officials said a search warrant inside a Ventura County residence turned up evidence, reportedly including a device to disguise voices.No bomb making materials were found.
While officials called it likely a prank, Mike Aranca of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department said, “It might have been a practical joke on their part, but it’s still no laughing matter.”
Amy Johnson, reporting for KCAL9, talked to a neighbor who said he witnessed the arrest.
“He’s not a friendly kid,” said the neighbor, “we had an incident one time, when he was threatening me cause I slammed my door.”
Jackson is reportedly being held on $50,000 bail.
