Published: July 23, 2008 10:30 pm      

Man who allegedly threatened to blow up police station ordered to get psychiatric help

A Johnstown man was ordered to get mental-health treatment after he allegedly threatened to shoot Upper Yoder Township police and blow up the police station.

Bryan Custer, 52, of Mars Street, was released Wednesday on unsecured bond after his appearance before township District Judge John Barron.

He was ordered to seek mental-health treatment and to stay away from his daughter and son-in-law, who helped police build their case against him.

In a court document dated July 2, Custer’s family members told police he “threatened to blow up Upper Yoder Township and part of the city of Johnstown.”

He also “indicated he would not be afraid to shoot any Upper Yoder Township officer who steps on his property.”

After family members found what was believed to be bomb-making ingredients in the basement, they notified the FBI terrorist tip line.

Township police and a Cambria County detective later seized a 12-gauge Mossberg shotgun and drug paraphernalia from the home.

Although no other weapons or bomb making ingredients were found, authorities took the threats seriously.

“These days, you can’t shrug those things off,” county Detective Gary Eisenhuth said.

Custer, a convicted felon, is charged with making terroristic threats and illegal gun possession.

He will answer the charges in county court.