Reported Bomb Attached to Car Turns Out to be a Dent Protector

A man who attached a make-shift rubber bumper to his car doors with wires and duct tape to prevent dents led to a massive federal, state, and local response for a bomb threat that turned out to be false.

There were several calls to 911 about a car appearing to have a bomb on the passenger side doors at the First Watch restaurant on Medical Center Pkwy. at 9:39 a.m. Tuesday.

The wires were connected to a suction cup on the inside door handle.

All businesses in the shopping plaza were evacuated for nearly two hours as a precaution. Schools in the Seigel school zone were placed on lock-down while the investigation was ongoing due to the address related to the vehicle’s tag.

A Murfreesboro Police Department supervisor eventually reached the owner of the car by phone. He was standing with the other evacuee across the street the entire time, unaware it was his car that promoted the bomb threat calls.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Special Operations Unit responded and gave all clear after examining the car.

Murfreesboro Police Department (MPD), MPD Drone Team, Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department (MFRD), MFRD Fire Marshal’s Office, Rutherford County Fire Marshal, Tennessee Highway Patrol, ATF, Rutherford County Emergency Management Agency, Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services assisted.

Since there was no intent to cause harm, the man will not be charged.