Caller Id Tracks Resort Bomb Threat

A sophisticated caller identification telephone system may help catch the suspect in a phoned-in bomb threat to the Sun Valley Co.

Resort employees received the warning on New Year’s Day, 12 hours after the caller had left a brief message on voice mail.

“Female dorm. Balsam. Bomb set to go off New Year’s Day, 12 noon,” was heard when employees played back messages from the previous day, said Sun Valley Police Sgt. Larry McConnell.

Police and fire crews responded to the Balsam Dormitory about 11 a.m., evacuating the area. No bomb was found.

Though the threat turned out to be a hoax, Sun Valley police have requested Blaine County Prosecutor Doug Werth issue an arrest warrant.

The suspect was identified and tracked to a California location with the resort’s caller identification telephone equipment, McConnell said.

The suspect called in the threat on the resort’s toll-free number. In addition to recording the dates and times of calls, the system also records the incoming telephone number.

Several witnesses also recognized the voice to further identify the person, an ex-employee of Sun Valley Co. The suspect also may be charged with stalking and misdemeanor battery of a female employee who lives in the Balsam Dormitory, McConnell said.