The man told officers he was just joking, according to the Largo Police Department.

LARGO – A Clearwater man was arrested Thursday (Sept. 28) after he told a restaurant hostess he worked for the Taliban and had a bomb, the Largo Police Department said.

Freddie Claudrick Bryant, 48, of Clearwater, is charged with one count of false report concerning planting a bomb or explosive, a second degree felony.

Largo police received a call about 3:06 p.m. from the general manager at the Red Lobster restaurant at the Largo Mall, 10500 Ulmerton Road. A man with a black bag had entered the restaurant and, according to the manager, told the hostess, “Just to make you smile, I work for the Taliban and I have a bomb in this bag.”

When the man asked for a booth near a window, he and an unknown female were seated away from other patrons.

Largo police had customers and staff quietly evacuate through the east door to the restaurant. Patrol officers set a perimeter around the building.

At 3:20 pm, the man left through the front door and told officers that there was nothing in the bag and that he was just joking.

Largo police said they had members of the Tampa bomb squad check the bag. No explosives or other suspicious materials were in the backpack.

For information about Largo police, go to largo.com.

Largo Police | Crime | Bomb | Red Lobster | Largo Mall | Arrests | Tampa Bay News | TB Reporter

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