Threatening man leads to Burger King evacuation, JSO says

Employees, customers evacuated from fast-food restaurant in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Burger King on Jacksonville's Westside was evacuated Wednesday evening after a man walked inside and began making threats, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

Investigators said that, about 5:30 p.m., Andrew Levon Pearce, 30, walked into the fast-food restaurant on Edgewood Avenue North near the intersection of West Beaver Street and people in the Burger King overheard him saying he had a bomb.

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According to the arrest report, Pearce asked the manager to use the phone to call dispatch and told the dispatcher he had a "bomb on him that will take out two city blocks."

Employees and customers were evacuated safely, police said. Pearce remained inside, but was eventually coaxed out and surrendered after about 30 minutes.

When Pearce was questioned by police, according to the arrest report, he admitted there was no bomb and said, "No, I just said that to get y'all to come."

Parts of Beaver Street and Edgewood Avenue were closed while police investigated. Bomb technicians were sent to secure the area.  No device was located.

Pearce was arrested on charges of criminal mischief and making a false report concerning placing or planting a bomb. He was booked into the Duval County jail.

The arrest report notes Pearce also had an outstanding warrant out of Baker County.

Pearce was arrested in Baker County and charged with making a false bomb report. He was found not competent for prosecution in 10 reviews, the most recent being in February. In July, he was granted conditional release from the custody of the Department of Children and Families.