Columbus Woman Arrested in Airport Bomb Hoax

COLUMBUS—Police Chief John Rockwell of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, along with Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Hanko of the Cincinnati Division of the FBI, today announced the arrest of Klara Renay Bias in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Ms. Bias, 56, with an address listed as the “streets of Columbus” is charged with inducing panic, a fourth-degree felony, in relation to a hoax improvised explosive device and letter found at the Port Columbus International Airport on August 6, 2012.

This matter was jointly investigated by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority Police Department and the FBI ,with considerable assistance from the Columbus Division of Police and the Central Ohio Transit Authority.

“This is another example of local and federal law enforcement agencies working together in a complex investigation,” stated Chief Rockwell. He also emphasized that this is a message to those individuals who perpetrate such crimes. “The airport and its partners have consistently tracked down and prosecuted those who engage in such activity.”

Chief Rockwell and SAC Hanko would also like to thank the Columbus Division of Fire, including its Bomb Squad and Hazardous Material Units, and the Transportation Security Administration for their efforts in this matter. Employees from throughout the Airport Authority were also recognized for the outstanding job they did in coping with the bomb hoax situation on the night that it occurred.

Ms. Bias is currently being held in the Franklin County Jail pending prosecution by Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien’s Office.

The public is reminded that charges are only allegations of criminal misconduct and that a defendant is presumed to be innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.