A Poplar Bluff man sits in the Butler County jail after allegedly making a terrorist threat against a local business.
Rodney L. Sparkman, 49, of Poplar Bluff currently is being held on suspicion of first-degree making of a terrorist threat and armed criminal action regarding a trio of incidents Tuesday afternoon.
According to a press release from the Poplar Bluff Police Department, officers responded at 12:35 p.m. Tuesday to Sonic Drive-In, located in the 1400 block of South Broadway, regarding a subject armed with a rifle. Officers arrived and contacted the subject, reportedly identified as Sparkman, and allegedly found him to possess an air rifle. Officers removed him from the premises.
A short time later, Officers responded to Munch ‘n Pump, located at 1401 S. Broadway, in reference to a similar complaint, and allegedly found Sparkman again. He also was removed from Munch ‘n Pump.
Officers then followed up with employees of Sonic Drive-In, who advised their alarm was due to threats made on Sunday by Sparkman. When Sparkman allegedly returned to Sonic Drive-In Tuesday, employees said they saw Sparkman was armed and believed he would carry through with these threats. Employees then reportedly retreated inside the building.
Sparkman later was found near the intersection of Victor Street and South Broadway and taken into custody.
Formal charges are pending.