Devices Brought Into SBU Hospital 'Could Have Been Detonated': PD

STONY BROOK, NY — Suffolk police on Thursday said the explosive devices brought into Stony Brook University Hospital had the potential to be detonated. Robert Roden, 33, of Mastic Beach, faces multiple charges after he brought a backpack containing three explosives into the hospital Tuesday night, police said.

A device from Roden's bag was analyzed Wednesday after the backpack was examined by Suffolk County Emergency Service Section Bomb Squad, Chief of Detectives Gerard Gigante told reporters on a conference call.

"It did have the ability to be energized and exploded," Gigante said. "It was in fact a device that could have been detonated if it was built correctly."

Roden was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree criminal contempt and two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

The detonation power is unknown until the FBI finishes analyzing the device, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart said. Roden may face more charges pending the lab report, police said.

Roden went to Stony Brook University Hospital with a man he lives with at their Wavecrest Drive home, Hart said. The man checked into the emergency room, while Roden was in its waiting room, Hart said. Police are investigating whether the hospital was Roden's target, or if he was caught there with the explosives, officials said. The man Roden was with is being questioned, police said. The duo was dropped off at the hospital by a third person, Gigante said.

Suffolk police were called at 9:05 p.m. Tuesday after Roden was taken into custody by Stony Brook University Police, who received a tip from a hospital security guard about "a suspicious man" in the emergency department, Hart said. Suffolk Bomb Squad and Canine Unit officers found Roden had three explosive devices in his backpack, as well as a hatchet, handcuffs and BB gun pistol, police said. Three pouches in the vest worn by Roden held magazines loaded with 9 mm ammunition, police said. Roden did not make a verbal threat, Hart said.

Salvatore Billigmeier, an off-duty NYPD detective, was at the hospital with his father when he noticed Roden arguing with a hospital employee, ABC 7 reported. Billigmeier followed him and saw him return with a large backpack, police told ABC. He then alerted Stony Brook University police.

Roden was held in custody at the Seventh Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip Thursday.

Two floors of the hospital, including the emergency room, were evacuated. Roden had the bag in his possession, though police set the bag down when he was taken into custody, Hart said.

"At that point, because the package was outside the entrance, it was a safe amount of evacuation that had taken place," Gigante said.

Roden's home was searched Wednesday, and explosive devices similar to those in the backpack were found, Hart said. Based on materials found at the home, it's believed Roden made the explosives himself, though it's still under investigation, Hart said.

It's currently unknown whether Roden is connected to a group or organization, officials said.

Roden was arrested in December on a charge of third-degree menacing with a weapon, Hart said. The case is still pending.

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