The man, Alon Felman, told airport authorities that he was flying to Florida for a police training exercise and the fake bomb device was part of the exercise.
According to the Transportation Security Administration, the man was carrying the device as part of an X-ray drill that would take place at the police training course.
“[Felman] was carrying a test item that was built and designed to mimic a fully-assembled bomb when viewed on an X-ray monitor," TSA Spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein told New Jersey 12 News. Indeed, the item was a realistic replica explosive device.”
Authorities shut down the third level of EWR's Terminal C to inspect the device. When it was determined to be fake, the terminal was reopened, and Felman was arrested for creating a false public alarm and interference with transportation.
