SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — Police released the identity of the man arrested in the incident that led two businesses to evacuate and State Street to close in both directions Saturday evening.
The Salt Lake City Police Department identified Arthur Lloyd Palmer as the man arrested for allegedly pulling a knife on officers after they learned he was a non-compliant sex offender. After his arrest, police say he told them had explosives in his vehicle.
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Palmer allegedly told police he was planning on using the explosives in World War 3 against “the enemy” saying the war was coming soon. He also said he had more “ingredients stowed away to make more new or improved devices,” the probable cause stated.
Police say they found “several jars with liquids and other objects” in his pickup truck, leading them to evacuate two businesses and close State Street from 800 South to 900 South.
The Hazardous Devices Unit (HDU) responded to the scene and safely secured the items with help from several other agencies. State Street was reopened by 9 p.m.