February 11, 2009 5:24 PM
- Text
Publicity Stunt Suspects Released
(CBS/AP)
Two men who authorities say placed electronic advertising around the city were released from jail Thursday, apparently amused with the publicity stunt that stirred fears of terrorism and shut down parts of the city.
Peter Berdovsky, 27, and Sean Stevens, 28, were released on $2,500 cash bond after each pleaded not guilty to placing a hoax device and disorderly conduct for placing an ad found Wednesday at a subway station. They waved and smiled as they greeted people in court.
Outside, they met reporters and television cameras and launched into a nonsensical discussion of hair styles of the 1970s. "What we really want to talk about today — it's kind of important to some people — it's haircuts of the 1970s," Berdovsky said.
Officials found 38 blinking electronic signs promoting the Cartoon Network TV show "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" on bridges and other high-profile spots across the city Wednesday, prompting the closing of a highway and the deployment of bomb squads. The surreal series is about a talking milkshake, a box of fries and a meatball. The network is a division of Turner Broadcasting Systems Inc.
The 1-foot tall signs, which were lit up, resembled a circuit board, with protruding wires and batteries. Most depicted a boxy, cartoon character giving passersby the finger — a more obvious sight when darkness fell.
"It's clear the intent was to get attention by causing fear and unrest that there was a bomb in that location," Assistant Attorney General John Grossman said at their arraignment.
Berdovsky posted video on the Web of him placing the devices around Boston, reported The Early Show correspondent Joie Chen.
The devices were planted in nine other cities, but with far less dramatic results. New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, Portland, Ore., Austin, Texas, San Francisco and Philadelphia all had the devices for the past few weeks, Chen reported.
Chicago police said Thursday they questioned two men who posted 20 electronic advertising devices around Chicago as part of the nationwide publicity ploy.
Police Superintendent Phil Cline says the two men haven't been charged. They were both released after questioning.The signs were recovered yesterday from locations around Chicago, including CTA trains, elevated platforms and storefronts
In the Boston case, the men did not speak or enter their own pleas, but they appeared amused and smiled as the prosecutor talked about the device found at Sullivan Station underneath Interstate 93, looking like it had C-4 explosive.
"The appearance of this device and its location are crucial," Grossman said. "This device looks like a bomb."
Some in the gallery snickered.
Outside the courthouse, Michael Rich, a lawyer for both of the men, said the description of a bomb-like device could be used for any electronic device.
"If somebody had left a VCR on the ground it would have been a device with wires, electronic components and a power source," he said.
Boston officials were livid when the devices were discovered.
Peter Berdovsky, 27, and Sean Stevens, 28, were released on $2,500 cash bond after each pleaded not guilty to placing a hoax device and disorderly conduct for placing an ad found Wednesday at a subway station. They waved and smiled as they greeted people in court.
Outside, they met reporters and television cameras and launched into a nonsensical discussion of hair styles of the 1970s. "What we really want to talk about today — it's kind of important to some people — it's haircuts of the 1970s," Berdovsky said.
Officials found 38 blinking electronic signs promoting the Cartoon Network TV show "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" on bridges and other high-profile spots across the city Wednesday, prompting the closing of a highway and the deployment of bomb squads. The surreal series is about a talking milkshake, a box of fries and a meatball. The network is a division of Turner Broadcasting Systems Inc.
The 1-foot tall signs, which were lit up, resembled a circuit board, with protruding wires and batteries. Most depicted a boxy, cartoon character giving passersby the finger — a more obvious sight when darkness fell.
"It's clear the intent was to get attention by causing fear and unrest that there was a bomb in that location," Assistant Attorney General John Grossman said at their arraignment.
Berdovsky posted video on the Web of him placing the devices around Boston, reported The Early Show correspondent Joie Chen.
The devices were planted in nine other cities, but with far less dramatic results. New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, Portland, Ore., Austin, Texas, San Francisco and Philadelphia all had the devices for the past few weeks, Chen reported.
Chicago police said Thursday they questioned two men who posted 20 electronic advertising devices around Chicago as part of the nationwide publicity ploy.
Police Superintendent Phil Cline says the two men haven't been charged. They were both released after questioning.The signs were recovered yesterday from locations around Chicago, including CTA trains, elevated platforms and storefronts
In the Boston case, the men did not speak or enter their own pleas, but they appeared amused and smiled as the prosecutor talked about the device found at Sullivan Station underneath Interstate 93, looking like it had C-4 explosive.
"The appearance of this device and its location are crucial," Grossman said. "This device looks like a bomb."
Some in the gallery snickered.
Outside the courthouse, Michael Rich, a lawyer for both of the men, said the description of a bomb-like device could be used for any electronic device.
"If somebody had left a VCR on the ground it would have been a device with wires, electronic components and a power source," he said.
Boston officials were livid when the devices were discovered.
- 1
- 2
- Next Page »
Latest Now in National
- Hutaree militia members face trial
- The nations weather
- Whitney Houston death may be mystery for weeks
- Murder trial of ex-U.Va. lax player enters week 2
- More human remains found at Calif. ranch
- Trial opens 2 years after feds break up militia
- Pastor's daughter accidentally shot at Fla. church
- Induced labor allows dying man to see daughter
- Stars pay tribute to Whitney Houston at Grammys
- US Airways jet makes emergency landing in NC
- Whitney Houston's death overshadows Grammy Awards
- Coroner: Autopsy on Whitney Houston completed
- Search resumes at recycling center in Powell case
- Evening News Online, 02.12.12
- Squatters cite old law to claim homes
- Whitney Houston always remembered in her hometown
- Whitney Houston cause of death under investigation
Latest CBS News Headlines
on Facebook Most Discussed Stories
on CBS News
- SKorean pastor arrested over children's deaths
- Schiphol airport evacuated due to bomb threat
- Is investing rigged to favor pros?
- Q&A: The Greek financial crisis
on Facebook Most Discussed Stories
on CBS News






