BRIDGEPORT — A Killingly man was arrested Wednesday for threatening to blow up Total Mortgage Arena with what he claimed was an explosive device attached to his body, police said. 

Robert Elie, 34, was charged with first-degree threatening after officers apprehended him near the Main Street arena, according to a news release shared by Bridgeport police Det. Jeffrey A. Holtz. 

Holtz said Elie made the threat by calling 911. He said Elie told dispatchers he was upset over a government conspiracy, and also provided his name and his description during the call. 

“Security at the arena evacuated guests and employees after being notified of the threat,” Holtz said. “Police rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area.” 

Shortly after responding, officers observed the suspect walking down the outside stairs of the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater on nearby Broad Street, Holtz said. 

Holtz said Elie threw his cellphone to the ground when he spotted police, causing it to break into pieces. He said the man was then taken into custody without further incident. 

Police did not find an explosive device on Elie, according to Holtz. He also said that a search of the arena by a Stamford Bomb Squad technician and a bomb-sniffing K-9 did not turn up a bomb.

Elie, who has previously been arrested for erratic behavior, was transported to St. Vincent's Medical Center before being brought to police headquarters where he was held on a $40,000 bond, Holtz said. 

In a statement Bridgeport Police Chief Roderick Porter praised the officers, patrol supervisors, dispatchers and arena security personnel for quickly responding to the threat. 

“This was a fluid and potentially life-threatening incident,” Porter said. “Our officers, supervisors and dispatchers relied on their training and experience to perform decisively and tactically and bring it to a successful conclusion. We want everyone who lives in, works in and visits Bridgeport to know we are doing our best to make them safe.”

July 23, 2026