Driver found with multiple weapons, container with radioactive warning label arrested in Polk County
DAVENPORT, Fla. - A suspect is behind bars after police found him with multiple weapons and a plastic container with a radioactive warning label in his car late Friday evening in Polk County.
The Haines City Police Department said Benjamin Johnson, 43, was arrested on multiple charges, including hoax weapon of mass destruction, false report concerning a bomb or explosive, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and resisting officers without violence.
Pictured: Benjamin Johnson. Courtesy: Haines City Police Department.
What we know:
The investigation happened near a Publix, which is located at 39883 Hwy 27 in Davenport. Officers conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Silverado that was believed to be involved in a crash.
When they arrived, officers said Johnson refused to follow multiple commands to get out of the vehicle. Haines City police ultimately pulled him out of the truck, which is when they found multiple guns inside.
HCPD said an officer heard Johnson acknowledge the existence of a "dirty bomb" in his truck while they detained him in a patrol car. That's when police said they found a yellow plastic container secured with chains and locks with a radioactive warning label.
Courtesy: Haines City Police Department.
Officers immediately got to a safe distance, shut down roads and requested assistance from the Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives. Before the bomb squad arrived, a Florida State Fire investigator responded and confirmed the container was emitting positive radioactivity, according to the police department.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, ATF and an FBI bomb technician assisted with the investigation and learned the device inside the yellow container was a "Moisture Density Gauge." Investigators said it is commonly used for soil testing and contained less radioactivity than a medical x-ray.
Courtesy: Haines City Police Department.
Johnson's truck was searched, which is when officers found a multitude of guns and ammunition, firearm magazine speed loaders, thermal scopes, knives, a battering ram, night vision goggles, cannabis and THC gummies.
The roads in the area were closed for several hours during the investigation, but they have since reopened, according to police.
Dig deeper:
The yellow container was taken to HCPD where it will be further inspected by the Florida Bureau of Radioactive Material, officials said.
Courtesy: Haines City Police Department.
Johnson told investigators that he was in the area for work and was living out of his vehicle with his dog. The animal was released to animal control, according to HCPD.
Haines City police said Johnson had a prior arrest for possession of marijuana out of Tennessee.
This remains an active investigation.
The Source: The information in this story was released by the Haines City Police Department.