"I'm not ashamed I can't function in society like I'm supposed to." - Paul Westerberg
Bike Band Sticker Causes Bomb Scare
(03-03) 11:27 PST Athens, Ohio (AP) --
Authorities shut down four buildings at Ohio University after a police officer noticed a sticker that said "this bike is a pipe bomb" before finding out the message was the name of a punk rock band, a university spokesman said.
Police noticed the sticker on a bicycle early Thursday, then blocked streets around a university-owned restaurant where it was found, spokesman Jack Jeffery said. A bomb squad came from Columbus, about 65 miles away.
The bomb squad pried apart the bike with a hydraulic device normally used to rescue accident victims trapped in cars, acting Athens Fire Chief Ken Gilbraith said. Once they had it open, they saw there was no bomb.
The buildings were reopened after about two hours.
Dean of Students Terry Hogan asked that fans of the Pensacola, Fla., band be more careful when showing support in the future.
Patrick K. Hanlin, 28, was charged by university police Thursday after he came forward as the bike's owner, Jeffery said. The charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail.
There was no answer at a phone number for Hanlin in Athens.
An e-mail message seeking comment was sent to Plan-It-X Records, the band's record label. No phone number was available.
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