GOP figure arrested after bomb threat disrupts party event

Madison — A well-known Republican was arrested Tuesday and charged with calling in a bomb threat Sunday that disrupted an afternoon Republican fundraiser .

Madison police charged James Byrne, 70, of 34 Hotchkiss Lane, with threatening, falsely reporting an incidence and breach of peace.

Bryne is an attorney and former member of the town's Planning and Zoning Commission. He was released on a written promise to appear in court and is schedule to appear in Superior Court in New Haven Sept. 28

"I give the police a lot of credit," Republican Town Chairman Tom Banisch said. "They had identified the caller within 24 hours. By Monday night I was standing in the police department looking at the surveillance film in order to verify an ID."

Police identified the source of the call as a pay phone in WalMart in Guilford. Surveillance cameras allegedly caught Byrne parking his car, walking into the store, approaching the pay phone, putting on gloves and picking up the receiver to make a call, sources said.

After completing the call, Bryne allegedly wiped down the phone. The surveillance cameras followed him back to his car and captured his license plate number.

Byrne who has a practice in Hartford, was an alternate and a full member of the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Board of Selectmen failed to reappoint him recently, although he was recommended by the Republican Town Committee.

Byrne, who at times has been an outspoken critic of both Republican and Democratic town officials, chose not to seek re-election to the Republican Town Committee.

Sunday's fundraiser was taking place at Banisch's home on Boston Post Road when about 4:35 p.m., Madison police received a call that there was a bomb at Banisch's house. Madison police called in the Connecticut State Police Bomb Squad, evacuated the home and nearby area, and shutdown surrounding streets, including portions of Route 1, Copse Road and Island Avenue.

Almost every Republican candidate for state and local office was at the event, including U.S. Senate candidate Linda McMahon, congressional candidate Janet Peckinpaugh, Banisch said.

Using a bomb-sniffing dog, police were able to canvas and inspect the house and property, and within an hour the threat was declared false.