Timothy Connolly, 55 year old resident of Sterling Heights, has been charged with the Unlawful Possession or Use of an Imitation Harmful Device.  This charge carries a penalty of up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.  Connolly was arrested on Monday, 2/26/2007, after he placed realistic looking fake bomb on the desk of a co-worker at Chrysler Headquarters in Auburn Hills.

Connolly admitted to constructing the device to look like a bomb and then placing it on the desk of a co-worker as a practical joke.  The realistic looking device caused a scare amongst employees working in the area.  Employees working in the immediate vicinity of the device were moved to other areas of the building.

Members of the FBI and Michigan State Police Bomb Squads were called in to evaluate the device.  After the device was inspected by the bomb squad it was determined to be non-explosive.  The device was transported the Michigan State Police crime lab for further analysis.

Connolly was arraigned today by Magistrate Marie Soma at the 52/3 District Court in Rochester Hills.  Magistrate Soma set a personal bond of $10,000.  Connolly was released pending further court proceedings.

Media Contact

Lieutenant James Manning

Public Information Officer

248-364-6860