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Mastic Beach resident Robert Roden and his partner were transported to the hospital's Emergency Room shortly after 9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9 by a third party because his partner was being treated for an undisclosed ailment.
Gerald Gigante, the Chief of Suffolk County Police Detectives said that after becoming suspicious of devices in Roden's possession, a security guard at the hospital called in officers to take over the investigation.
Roden was taken into custody and the Suffolk County Police Bomb Squad and Canine units responded to the hospital, and it was determined that Roden was in possession of three explosive devices in his backpack.
Gigante said that two floors of the hospital were evacuated as a precaution and the bag was taken a safe distance away. The bag was investigated by the Bomb Squad using electronic robots and devices at a safe distance, at which point three explosives were recovered.
The explosives are now in the custody of the FBI, which is analyzing them. Gigante noted that the devices were approximately the size of grenades with fuses and "had the ability to be energized and exploded."
Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart said that it is unclear what the detonation power of the devices was, and it will remain unclear until the FBI concludes its analysis.
At the time of his arrest, Roden was also in possession of a hatchet, handcuffs, a BB gun loaded with 9mm rounds, and multiple loaded 9mm magazines.
During the incident, Hart noted that Roden made no threats, and it is unclear if or why he was specifically targeting the hospital.
Hart said it has not been determined if Roden is affiliated with any hate or terrorist groups, and that the department is currently partnering with the FBI to analyze electronics that were seized at his residence.
Rodney Harrison, the Chief of NYPD Detectives, said that Det. Salvatore Billigmeier noticed a man in a tactical vest arguing with a hospital employee, prompting him to spring into action.
“That same individual later returned with a large backpack, prompting the detective to follow the suspect and call SUNY Police Department,” he said. “The individual was subsequently apprehended and officers discovered multiple 9mm magazines, an imitation firearm, and a suspicious device on him.”
Roden, 33, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, criminal contempt, and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Additional charges are pending, police said. Roden is currently being held and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Thursday, June 11.
Hart reiterated repeatedly that the investigation is ongoing.
This continues to be a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
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