They're coming to blow me away
Bomb Squad Called Following Man's Arrest
Nearby Buildings Evacuated As Precaution
Updated: 6:40 pm CDT May 9, 2011
David Douglas
MADISON, Wis. -- Authorities evacuated some buildings in downtown Madison as a precaution as the Dane County Sheriff's Department's Bomb Squad inspected some suspicious suitcases following a man's arrest Monday afternoon.
The suitcases were being inspected near the intersection of South Carroll Street and Wilson Street. Police said they found nothing of concern, and authorities have left the scene.
Shortly before noon Monday, Madison Police Department officers were sent to the Edgewater Hotel at 666 Wisconsin Ave. for a disturbance.
Police said a 29-year old hotel guest had gone into a lunch meeting, to which he was not invited, and began eating food. He refused to leave when asked by staff. When officers arrived, the man became very nervous, according to a Madison Police Department news release.
Police said the man was sweating profusely and mumbling, and officers could not ascertain what was going on with him. Edgewater staff wanted the man removed from the hotel.
Police said officers arrested the man on a charge of disorderly conduct, took possession of his personal items -- including suitcases -- and took him to the Dane County Jail.
During the booking process, police said they confirmed the suspect's identity as Ayad N. Almutairi, 29, a Saudi Arabia national.
Police said Almutairi was granted a visa to come to Madison to study English. During the booking process, the suspect's unusual behavior continued, and his status in this country was in question, police said.
Madison police said that prior to moving the suspect's belongings to the property room, it was decided that a police dog should sniff the squad car trunk that they were in.
A K9 indicated positively to the presence of explosives, police said.
Police said that, as a precaution, parts of nearby buildings have been evacuated. These include the City County Building, the Public Safety Building at 1 W. Wilson St., and an apartment building.
To ensure there was nothing in the property that might be dangerous, Madison police asked the Dane County Bomb Squad to investigate. The team checked the items and found nothing of concern.
Police said that squad cars are used to transport weapons, flares, and other items that may have been the reason for the police dog's response.
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