Owasso Bomb Threat Hoax Arrest Follows Gym Dispute
Owasso Bomb Threat Hoax Arrest Follows Dispute Over Gym Equipment, Police Say
Owasso police arrested 43-year-old Michael Blatchford after investigators accused him of making a false bomb threat against a local gym following a brief interaction with another customer over exercise equipment. Police say the September 9 call triggered an emergency response and an explosives-detection K-9 search before officers determined there was no threat to the business.
Investigators allege Blatchford called police from a blocked number using the name “Adamar” and claimed another gym member had threatened to blow up the facility. According to the investigation, the call came just 33 minutes after Blatchford and the man had a brief exchange at a chest press machine.
Owasso Bomb Threat Hoax Followed Brief Gym Interaction
According to investigators, the other gym customer asked Blatchford to leave the weights on the chest press machine when he finished because the customer planned to use it next.
Police say there was no bomb threat during that interaction.
Approximately 33 minutes later, Owasso police received a blocked call from someone identifying himself as “Adamar.” The caller allegedly accused the other customer of threatening to blow up the gym.
The report prompted officers to respond to the facility and investigate the potential threat. An explosives-detection K-9 searched the gym and found no explosive device or other danger.
Investigators then began examining how the two men were connected.
Police say an emergency dispatcher recognized the caller’s voice because of previous contacts involving Blatchford. Officers showed a photograph of Blatchford to the gym customer who had been accused of making the threat, and the man reportedly recognized him as the person he had briefly spoken with at the exercise machine.
The Owasso Police Department provides law enforcement and emergency response services within the city and works with other agencies when investigations require additional resources.
Gym Records Linked ‘Adamar Draven’ Account to Blatchford
Investigators also reviewed surveillance video and membership information from the gym.
Police say records showed Blatchford maintained a gym membership under the name “Adamar Draven,” similar to the name allegedly used during the bomb threat call.
According to investigators, the membership was connected to Blatchford’s actual telephone number and bank account, providing another link between him and the account.
Police ultimately arrested Blatchford, who now faces allegations that include making a terrorism hoax and falsely reporting a crime.
Under Oklahoma law, a terrorism hoax involves willfully simulating an act of terrorism as a joke, hoax, prank or trick against a place, population, business, agency or government. The Oklahoma State Courts Network outlines the required elements of a terrorism hoax, including circumstances in which a false threat causes fear and is intended to disrupt a business or other location.
The charge does not mean prosecutors are accusing Blatchford of possessing an actual explosive device. The allegation centers on the claim that he intentionally created a false threat that caused an emergency response.
Police Cite Previous False Reporting Case
The new case is not Blatchford’s first involving allegations of false emergency reporting.
According to court records, he previously pleaded guilty in 2023 to a misdemeanor charge involving a false 911 report and served 30 days in jail.
In another reported incident, authorities said Blatchford falsely claimed two men were on a sidewalk bleeding heavily and screaming for help, prompting emergency responders to travel to the location with lights and sirens.
The latest case carries more serious allegations because investigators say the false report involved a purported bomb threat against a business.
Oklahoma law classifies terrorism hoax as a felony offense. The state’s current criminal offense classification statute lists terrorism hoax among Class B4 criminal offenses.
The September 9 incident also illustrates the resources required when authorities receive a reported explosive threat. Officers must initially treat the information as potentially credible until investigators can determine otherwise, meaning personnel and specialized resources can be deployed even when a threat is ultimately determined to be false.
In this case, police say the gym was searched, no explosive threat was found and investigators traced the report back to Blatchford.
The charges against Blatchford are allegations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
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