Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Mill Basin Man Flings Fake "Bomb" Into Sewer, Lets Authorities Struggle To Pick It Out
By
Lauren Evans
Published Apr 24, 2013
Modified Apr 24, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Lauren Evans
Published Apr 24, 2013
Modified Apr 24, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
There is a certain etiquette a person should adhere to when opening their front door to find what looks like it could be a bomb. Removing the offending object and placing it elsewhere is logical enough—down the street, perhaps, or in the mailbox of that asshole whose dog is always peeing on your lawn. But the sewer? The sewer is far from the best choice. The sewer, in fact, is in strong contention for worst choice ever.
And yet the sewer was precisely the place one Mill Basin man opted to fling the object he thought was a bomb, an object that he discovered taped to the front door of his Avenue T house just before 7:45 p.m. yesterday, the Daily News reports.
The item, which turned out to be an otherwise harmless "CO2 cartridge with wires sticking out of it," was first discovered wedged in the screen door. The homeowner, who asked not to be named even though his photo appears with the story, said this: “It didn’t look good...I thought, ‘I’m gonna get rid of it and throw it out,’ so I threw it into the street and called the police.”
To be fair, finding anything that looks like a bomb stuck to the outside of your home doesn't inspire rational thinking, and the homeowner didn't specifically stuff it down the sewer anyway—it rolled there by its own volition. Next time, though, perhaps get out of the house and call the cops first. Our officers do not have time to dig through gallons of sludge looking for fake bombs—they've got their hands full prying iPhones out of the butts of criminals.
Tagged
bomb
bomb threat
fake bomb
mill basin
nypd
Lauren Evans
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman spar over immigration, cost of living in debate
The Democratic incumbent repeatedly invoked President Donald Trump. The Republican challenger largely avoided bringing up New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
By
Jon Campbell
Published Oct 13, 2026 at 9:05 p.m. ET
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
Prosecutors say Dr. Tariq Lamki abused two patients during appointments at a medical practice near Stuyvesant Town.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
Prosecutors say Dr. Tariq Lamki abused two patients during appointments at a medical practice near Stuyvesant Town.
By
Giulia Heyward
Years of bus headaches start Thursday as Port Authority advances Midtown terminal work
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Carol Chen
ICE admits to using Roxbury, NJ warehouse site to process immigrants
By
Mike Hayes
Dolan's offer: Donations to Blakeman for Knicks tickets
By
Walter Wuthmann
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .