OKEECHOBEE — On Nov. 10, 2023, Sergeant C. Daigneault placed 36-year-old Stephen Barton under arrest for making threats to blow up a business (Walgreens) located at 100 NW Park Street.

While the clerk was grabbing the packs of cigarettes that Barton requested, he stated, “get that one or I’ll blow up the store.” As the clerk motioned to ring up the packs of cigarettes, he stated, "You don’t need to do that, I don’t need to pay.” Barton reportedly went on to state he was going to “blow up everything” if she did not give him the cigarettes. Due to Barton having a duffle bag, the clerk was in fear he was capable of following up on the threat.

While Barton was being held for further investigation, he continued his threat by stating in front of Officer G. Kelly that he was “going to blow up everything.” Sergeant Daigneault, after following a series of questions, determined Barton was possibly under the influence of an illegal narcotic.

After the arrest, officers searched the duffle bag and found no bombs or weapons of mass destruction. Barton was transported to the Okeechobee County Jail without further incident.