Jan 28, 7:50 PM EST

Man charged with fake bomb threat at Liberty Bell

Superlatives
Yankee magazine offers best of fall in New England, A to Z more
By the Book
Laura Bush announces lineup, unveils poster for this year's Texas Book Festival more
Are We There Yet?
Legoland Florida announces an interactive Star Wars expansion at theme park more
CyberTrips
NY parks department launches smartphone app as guide to facilities, events around state more
Out There
Kansas River provides canoers, kayakers a glimpse of a prairie waterway _ wide, flat and sandy more
Travel Know How
Tips for Planning Trips more
Dispatches
Wandering among the fields, forests and villages of Thailand's northern hill tribes more
Tourism Info
Travel Links
Yesterday's Places
Calif. winery renovates to resume wine-making in historic stone buildings more

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- A former Arizona State University professor is facing charges for allegedly claiming to have explosives at Philadelphia's iconic Liberty Bell.

Police say 41-year-old Carlos Balsas of Tempe, Ariz., entered the tourist site in Philadelphia's historic district around 11 a.m. Saturday.

An officer at an entrance security check told police that a man stated his two backpacks contained explosives.

The man left and security officers notified park rangers. Police cordoned off the street on Independence Mall where the Liberty Bell building is located.

Balsas was stopped by park rangers a block away and was arrested after a brief struggle. Two backpacks were found nearby but there were no explosives inside.

Balsas was charged Sunday with terroristic threats, bomb threats, possessing an instrument of crime, reckless endangerment and related offenses.

© 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.