Pontiac man arrested for threats of mass shooting, bombs, so work would be canceled

Michael Williams admits to making threats to close Dana Corporation

Michael Williams, of Pontiac, was arrested on Aug. 18, 2017, for calling in threats so he didn't have to go to work. (WDIV)

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – A 23-year-old Pontiac man was arrested Friday for threatening a mass shooting and calling in bomb threats to close an Auburn Hills business so he didn't have to work, police said.

Investigators were called Aug. 11 to Dana Corporation in Auburn Hills after bomb threats were made. Dana Corporation closed its business temporarily during the investigation.

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Police investigated another incident at 9:41 a.m. Friday, when a mass shooting was threatened over the phone. Threats were also made to other businesses in the area.

Investigators said Williams was responsible for calling in the bomb and mass shooting threats. He was a temporary employee of Dana Corporation and had only been working there for a few days, police said.

Williams was arrested Friday evening at a home in Pontiac.

Police said Williams admitted to making both threats so that work would be canceled for the day. There's no indication that Williams intended to harm anyone at the business, police said.

Williams was charged with false report or threat of terrorism, using a computer to commit a crime or threat of terrorism and false report or threat of bomb/harmful device. The first two charges each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. The third charge has a maximum sentence of four years in prison and a $2,000 fine.

Williams was arraigned Tuesday and is being held on $75,000 bail.

A pre-exam conference is scheduled Aug. 31.

Anyone with information in the case is asked to call the Auburn Hills Police Department at 248-370-9444.


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