Police

UPDATE: Teen arrested Monday ‘will no longer be attending’ Mercy

A Riverhead police officer leads Mercy students from the school on Jan. 14. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch)
A Riverhead police officer leads Mercy students from the school on Jan. 14. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch)

UPDATE: A voice message from Carl Semmler, principal of Bishop McGann-Mercy High School, said the teen arrested yesterday in relation to a bomb threat was a school student who will no longer be going to the school.

The message, sent to families of students who attend the school, said the teen “admitted to placing a threatening note on the rear windshield of a car parked in the school lot.”

The message went on to state that “the student will no longer be attending our school. Please know the safety of our students is always at the forefront of our efforts.”

ORIGINAL STORYAn Islandia teenager has been charged in connection with a Monday afternoon bomb scare at Bishop McGann-Mercy High School, Riverhead Police said.

Michael Calandra, 17, is charged with falsely reporting an incident in the second degree, a felony.

Michael Calandra, 17, was arrested in connection to Monday's bomb scare at McGann-Mercy High School. (Credit: Riverhead Police Department)

Police said school administrators found a note on school property advising them of a bomb threat around 3:44 p.m. Monday.

A subsequent investigation by Riverhead detectives, with assistance from Suffolk County Police Department Emergency Services Unit, led to Mr. Calandra’s arrest, police said.

Police did not say if Mr. Calandra is connected to a string of other bomb threats against Mercy and Riverhead high schools in recent weeks. Last week, Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offered $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of anyone responsible for the threats.

According to Det. Sgt. Sean Egan, Monday’s incident is not believed to be related to the other threats made at local schools.

In those incidents, the bomb threats were called in to the schools, police said.

Mr. Calandra was taken into custody, processed and released on an appearance ticket for Riverhead Justice Court arraignment.

Caption: Michael Calandra (Credit: Riverhead Police Department)