Maine man charged with threats, bomb-making materials found at home

A 24-year-old man from Cornish, Blake Tibbetts, was arrested Monday after making threats toward the University of New England (UNE) in Biddeford.

According to The Maine Office of the State Fire Marshal, Tibbetts made “concerning comments” about the school at a Cornish restaurant.

Authorities said investigators discovered bomb-making materials at Tibbetts’ home, leading to his arrest. He was evaluated at a hospital before being transported to the York County Jail, where he is held on $500,000 cash bail. Tibbetts faces charges of terrorizing, criminal use of explosives, and attempting to cause a catastrophe.

UNE’s senior director of safety and security, Jeffrey Greene, informed the school community that security staffing had been increased on both the Biddeford and Portland campuses. “This incident comes at a time when concerns about safety on college campuses are heightened,” Greene said. “But I want to underscore that the systems that are in place to keep our community safe worked.”

Read more: WGME