Posted on 03/27/2009 9:34:32 AM PDT by buccaneer81
Columbus man charged with threatening Blue Jackets Friday, March 27, 2009 9:01 AM By Aaron Portzline THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Peter Stenzel, 52, has been arrested and charged with inducing panic after placing at least three threatening phone calls to the Blue Jackets -- specifically goaltender -- Steve Mason during last night's win over Calgary.
According to the Columbus police report, Stenzel was wearing a Calgary Flames T-shirt when he was arrested at his residence in Columbus. He is charged with menacing and inducing panic, a misdemeanor.
"They got his number from caller ID, and it was given to special duty officers," Columbus police Sgt. Rich Weiner said. "When they got to his residence, he was upset. He's a passionate hockey fan."
The phone calls were placed between 7:45 p.m. and 8:11 p.m., roughly the end of the first period and the start of the second. They caused a hectic response behind the scenes in Nationwide, with special duty officers placed around all of the arenas entrances.
"One phone call might not be taken seriously, it might not generate much of a response," Weiner said. "But when you make two or three calls and is threatening bodily harm, we're going to take it very seriously.
Sources said Stenzel threatened to "shoot" and "bomb" Mason during the game.
"There was an incident and it's been referred to NHL security," Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson said. "I don't want to comment further."
Check back for more details as they become available.
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