Man upset over flowers, arrested on terroristic threats charge

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Monday, September 12. 2011

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A 77-year-old Winder man was arrested after he allegedly told people he released a hazardous substance around a grave at Barrow Memorial Gardens on Monday.

According to a press release issued by Investigator Matt Guthas, Barrow County Sheriff’s officials arrested Winder resident Thomas Donald Finch after he claimed to have released a hazardous substance in the presence of several employees. Investigators later learned the man was upset because the flowers he placed on a grave were missing.

Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene and blocked off the area, shutting down traffic on Atlanta Highway in front of the cemetery for approximately two hours.

Initially, Finch said he placed a radioactive substance on the ground or near some flowers by one of the graves in order to harm potential thieves. Employees were convinced his intent was indeed malicious when he displayed a pill bottle and said anyone touching the hazardous substance would need the pills.

Officials from Barrow County Emergency Services responded, as did a hazardous materials response team from the Gwinnett County Fire Department. Hazardous materials technicians conducted a thorough inspection of the area and found no substances that posed a public threat.

The press release noted "the grave nature of the threats that resulted in a large public safety response from various agencies, and caused the closure of a major thoroughfare and several side streets for hours."

Finch was charged with one count of terroristic threats and acts.

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#1 Jack Legg on 09/12/11 at 04:14 PM [Reply]

Really.... he is 77 years old do ya really think he had something radioactive?
Use some common sense next time dumdums

#1.1 Really? on 09/13/11 at 08:04 AM [Reply]

Are you really saying a 77 year old can not come in contact with something radioactive? Please tell me you typed that before you read it. Cancer treatments are radioactive. And with the rise in cancer in America this is very possible. Next time something is threatened such as this they should contact you and let you be the guinea pig to go out and see if it is radio active, or hazardous. If you die they can call a hazmat team, but it will save millions.

On side note I am thankful that the public safety took the precautions necessary to keep people safe.

#2 Anonymous on 09/12/11 at 04:30 PM [Reply]

These are government employes. They have no common sense. If they did they wouldn't be working for Barrow Co.

#3 A Man. on 09/13/11 at 03:00 AM [Reply]

This poor man! Lost his wife and brought her flowers
for her final resting place. I can feel the loneliness
in his heart. What harm was there in someone leaving
flowers for his soul mate? I suppose he did not buy a
expensive vase required by most cemetaries.Now he's a
"terrorist"? At least S.W.A.T., did not pop a round in
him. Where has the common sense of our law enforcement
agencies gone? We are all guilty of something!
Public servants or public serpants? Another victory
for radical Islam, freedom has been compromised.

#3.1 Anonymous on 09/13/11 at 10:16 AM [Reply]

I agree, the man put flowers on the grave and someone took them. Where did they go? Just let him be, he is not a terrist.

#4 T. Rex on 09/13/11 at 05:44 AM [Reply]

This man was upset that someone had taken flowers from a grave. There are certainly other ways to deal with that rather than threaten other peoples lives. Sadly, in today's world every threat needs to be dealt with total caution. Thank you Barrow County law enforcement for doing your job, You can not pick and choose who to ignore and not act upon their threats. Citizens with common sense appreciate what you do to keep us all safe.

#5 INSURGENT on 09/13/11 at 07:07 AM [Reply]

Welcome to zero tolerence police state america. belive me these cops love this shutting down traffic creating a huge scene. Do not look for any compassion from these jackboots. He is very lucky they didnt SQUAT team him. You know The SQUAT team is sitting there fingers on the trigger ready to take down grandma and grandpa. Way to defend america from the deadly terroist I will sleep better tonight.

#6 observer on 09/13/11 at 07:41 AM [Reply]

This is not zero tolerance but rather a time when such things must be taken seriously. He made specific, premeditated threats. The man may deserve sympathy but also deserved to be arrested. He will have a chance to offer a defense that he is an idiot, or so grief-stricken that he lost his senses.

#6.1 where did all the common sense go? on 09/13/11 at 07:04 PM [Reply]

This man was raised during a time when we all knew there was freedom of expression and free speech and we all knew the only thing we couldn't say was 'fire' in a packed theatre. Our collective panties are in a wad over the stupidest statements. Our schools have had this zero tolerance, black and white, garbage crammed down our throats so much that no one knows what is safe to say anymore. There is no such thing as common sense anymore. Especially among those in the government. Of course no one is interested in where his flowers are. No one thought of consoling an upset man. People, the ability to think logically is being bred out of us.

#7 CitizenK on 09/13/11 at 09:23 AM [Reply]

I think he should have to reimburse the county for the expenses incurred by his temper tantrum.
How much did this cost?

#7.1 Jack Legg on 09/13/11 at 11:38 AM [Reply]

The person who should have to reimburse the county for expenses is the dumbass in charge whi instigated such a widespread incident to deal with an old man .was he armed ? I ask again what kind of idiot thinks that a 77 year old man could get a hold of something radioactive and even get the antidote for it to threaten ? The cops here showed NO common sense and have to take a class about that.

#7.1.1 Jack Legg is An Ignorant Idiot on 09/14/11 at 08:44 AM [Reply]

Please Mr. Jack Legg, look up Radioactive Iodine. It is a medication that is radioactive and given for multiple ailments. You are a typical ignorant person that is waisting the air that intelligent people use.

#7.1.1.1 Jack Legg on 09/14/11 at 09:12 AM [Reply]

Just found all of this from tyhe EPA website. Nothing in it about radioactive pills.You are an annonymous fool, and our Law enforcement division wasted a whole bunch of money and time on an old man.I will tell you fuurthermore that this business of strip searching old people and children at airports while letting towel headed potential terrorist walk on by is a further example of the luncay foisted upon us in the name of "security"Woe is that generation that gives up freedom for security for it shall have neither.

What kinds of consumer products contain radioactive materials?
A variety of consumer items contain radioactive materials. In some, the radiation is a working part of the product. In others, it is just there because some component is naturally contaminated with radioactive materials.

Consumer Products with (Ionizing) Radioactive Components or Emissions:

Smoke Detectors:
Most smoke detectors available for home use contain an americium-241 source. You can read more about smoke detectors at http://www.epa.gov/radiation/sources/smoke_alarm.html
Watches and Clocks:
Some watches and clocks contain a small quantity of hydrogen-3 (tritium) or promethium-147, which provides light. Older watches and clocks (built before 1970) used radium-226 paint on dials and numerals to make them visible in the dark. Avoid opening these items; the radium could flake off and be ingested or inhaled.
Older Camera Lenses:
Camera lenses from the 1950s-1970s often employed coatings of thorium-232 to alter the index of refraction.
Gas Lantern Mantles:
Older, and some imported, gas lantern mantles generate light by heating thorium-232.
Televisions:
X-rays may be produced in the conditions under which television components operate. However, most television sets do emit measurable radiation and there is no evidence that radiation from TV sets has resulted in human injury.You can learn more about radiation from TV sets from the Food and Drug Administration's Web page, We Want You to Know About Television Radiation.
Sun Lamps and Tanning Salons:
The ultraviolet rays used sun lamps and taning salons are as damaging to skin as the ultraviolet rays of the sun. In fact, warning labels are required which begin "DANGER—Ultraviolet radiation". You can learn more about performance standards for these devices from the Center for Devices and Radiological Health of the Food and Drug Administration.
Consumer Products Containing (Ionizing) Radioactive Contamination:

Ceramics:
Ceramic materials (for example, tiles, pottery) often contain elevated levels of naturally occurring uranium, thorium, and/or potassium. In many cases, the activity is concentrated in the glaze. Unless there is a large quantity of the material, readings above background are unlikely. Nevertheless, some older (for example, pre-1960) tiles and pottery, especially those with an orange-red glaze (for example, Fiesta®ware) can be quite radioactive.
Glass:
Glassware, especially antique glassware with a yellow or greenish color, can contain easily detectable quantities of uranium. Such uranium-containing glass is often referred to as canary or vaseline glass. In part, collectors like uranium glass for the attractive glow that is produced when the glass is exposed to a black light. Even ordinary glass can contain high-enough levels of potassium-40 or thorium-232 to be detectable with a survey instrument.
Fertilizer:
Commercial fertilizers are designed to provide varying levels of potassium, phosphorous, and nitrogen. Such fertilizers can be measurably radioactive for two reasons: potassium is naturally radioactive, and the phosphorous can be derived from phosphate ore that contains elevated levels of uranium. You can learn more about residues from fertilizer production in our pages on the regulation of phosphgypsum
Food:
Food contains a variety of different types and amounts of naturally occurring radioactive materials. Although the relatively small quantities of food in the home contain too little radioactivity for the latter to be readily detectable, bulk shipments of food have been known to set off the alarms of radiation monitors at border crossings. One exception would be low-sodium salt substitutes that often contain enough potassium-40 to double the background count rate of a radiation detector.

Learn more about sources of radiation:
Becoming Aware of Radiation Sources

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#7.1.2 CitizenK on 09/19/11 at 11:45 PM [Reply]

I think he's just some poor soul who has seen 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil' one too many times. Doesn't excuse his (or BCSD) over-reaction, though....just sayin'

#8 INSURGENT on 09/13/11 at 06:46 PM [Reply]

Hey jack legg It is no use these boot lickers are so brain washed and scared everyone is a potential terroist. Look observer this is a time diffrent than any other time. War of 1812 british troops burn the white house to the ground we didnt need a police state. pearl harbor we didnt need a police state, but that was the start we interned all thoes japanese americans. How ever we didnt need fbi,dea,irs,atf,nsa, but it was the birth of the deaded cia. We didnt need homeland insecurity. We are being taken over by alphabet groups and their codes not laws.

#8.1 Are you Kidding on 09/13/11 at 08:00 PM [Reply]

And how do you think we should secure this country? If you have such vast knowledge of Law Enforcement proceedures then tell us what you would do if you were in the postition to change it. Want to hear your great idea.

#9 Anonymous on 09/13/11 at 06:48 PM [Reply]

An absolute waste of law enforcement and tax payer money.

#10 Joyce on 09/13/11 at 07:45 PM [Reply]

A big THANK YOU goes out to our Barrow County Law, Fire Dept, and all other safety official's for the great job they do. Thanks again for the job they did, when this happen to make sure we all were safe.

#11 INSURGENT on 09/13/11 at 09:50 PM [Reply]

I dont think you look at every american citizen as a member of alciada. Get out of other peoples countrys. Our troops in their countrys are what drives their hatred of us. What would you do if another countrys army set up a base here? would you just go along with it? Would you join their army aginst your own people? I am courious kiddy what would you do where do your loyalties lie? Do you side with the constitution or with those trying to destroy it?

#12 Are you Kidding on 09/13/11 at 09:57 PM [Reply]

But these countries have no problem taking the Billions of dollars of aid that we give them every year.So yes if there is a need of american presence in another country that we give all this money too, so be it. And please show me where we EVER had a military base in Afganistan prior to the Gulf War and 9-11. Again stop avoiding my question, still waiting on your response to your idea of how you would like to secure our nation. You must not have one. You just like to complain about it from your nice little chair in front of your nice big screen TV surrounded by your nice white picket fence. Oh ya, all which police officers and deputies protect.

#12.1 Jonathan on 09/15/11 at 09:39 AM [Reply]

In response to your statement about military presence in afghanistan, you are correct there was none, however, their outrage stems from our (USA) presence in the Islamic holy land of Mecca an Medina which was allowed by the Saudis.

#12.2 Not an Anti Government Freak on 09/19/11 at 09:13 PM [Reply]

It doesn't matter how much you make if you don't have common sense. What happened to investigating before setting off alarms. If someone had spoke to the gentleman you may have found out it was just blowing off steam, not a terrorist threat. That's called police work. BCSO has never heard of that. Always ready to pull the trigger.

#12.2.1 Government on 09/19/11 at 09:31 PM [Reply]

And if the BCSO did nothing and innocent people WERE hurt they are still idiots for not doing enough. Your right, this is a 77 year old man, old enough to know better. Its a sad situation all around but dont blame the BCSO for doing the job they did.

#13 INSURGENT on 09/13/11 at 10:31 PM [Reply]

We should stop giving all forigen aid. And at the same time stop this forigen welfare defence. These countrys take our money and let us use there land as a staging ground. It cost us trillions maintaining this empier. Use snipers and assassins to kill terrorist leaders every time they stick there heads up. Far less expensive far more effective. However I am not talking about political leaders. heads of state or the american people. We have been in afghanistan since at least when the russians were fighting their war on terror. worked out well for them didnt it.Afghanistan is also called the land where empiers go to die. But we were there in the seventies traning alCIAda and turned a blind eye when pakistan got nukes. And please kiddy only a few bootlickers buy the whole we protect you whle you sleep. you cant protect anyone all you can do is show up after the fact and file a report. It is extremly rare that you catch the rape murder or home invasion in progress. It is up to the individual to protect themselves.Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.

#13.1 wrong page on 09/13/11 at 10:44 PM [Reply]

Aren't you on another blogs spouting off on Constitutional Amendments?
What does all of this have to do with missing flowers?

#13.1.1 Are you Kidding on 09/13/11 at 10:50 PM [Reply]

He is just trying to dodge the question I asked him. He is good at that. He cannot think for himself, nor can he read. Which is why he beats around the bush on topics.For someone who knows so much about our government, he sure does like to dodge questions. Just like a politician.

#13.2 LOL on 09/14/11 at 01:22 AM [Reply]

Too bad. You lose!

#14 Are you Kidding on 09/13/11 at 10:44 PM [Reply]

Once again, still dodging the question. If you have all the answers, please tell us how you would change it..YOU CAN'T. And yes I beleive people should protect themselves, the ones who don't or can't though, who do you think they call? Ill give you one guess. You really have no clue what your talking about. I actually feel sorry for you.Sorry for the fact that you just don't know any better. Guess it's because of the crappy education you got from the crappy teachers, go ahead blame them, I know your thinking it.Still waiting on my response though.

#15 J.B. Moore on 09/14/11 at 03:07 AM [Reply]

If you hate the police so much maybe you should move to Liberia and let us know how That works out for you. You can take all your own protection into your own hands.

#16 INSURGENT on 09/15/11 at 03:13 PM [Reply]

J.B. if I could opt out of the police protection racket(meaning I dont have to pay their bloated salarys)I would in a minute.I dont hate the police I hate what they have become. And please some one call the police my indiglo watch has radation in it. JB you move,move to a police state like north korea they will keep you safe. Cops need to change that little saying on the side of their car "To protect and serve" the new saying needs to read "To oppress and dominate".

#17 Are you kidding on 09/15/11 at 03:41 PM [Reply]

"bloated salaries" . We don't make nearly enough to deal with people like you. Your one of those anti governement freaks that just sit and complain but do nothing about it to try and change anything. Do you vote? That is if your not a convicted felon, which is most likely why you don't like law enforcement in the first place. That's ok though, keep reading your little newspaper and watch the news so you can complain about something else the police have or have not done. Keep piggybacking off the media cause you don't have your own facts or stats. Just keep being the hypocrite you are.

#17.1 Anonymous on 09/15/11 at 04:41 PM [Reply]

Do you work for the BCSO or WPD?

#17.1.1 Are you kidding on 09/15/11 at 05:05 PM [Reply]

Neither one, not even in Barrow County, grew up here though and still live here.

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Man upset over flowers, arrested on terroristic threats charge

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Man upset over flowers, arrested on terroristic threats charge

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