Chicago-Bound Amtrak Stalled by Terror Threat
Passenger makes a phone call to discuss his terror plot and al-Qaida
Getty Images / Mario Tama
A man walks to board an Amtrak train in Penn Station November 17, 2005 in New York City.
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An Amtrak train bound for Chicago was stopped suddenly Tuesday when a man began spouting terrorist threats.
“We have to work in small groups ... They can hold you for 18 months ... Do they have security on these trains? ... Are you with me or not?” the 64-year-old passenger allegedly said into his cell phone while riding the train, according to Chicago Breaking News Center.
Police said in an affidavit that passengers overheard the man saying he hadn’t killed anyone yet and talked about going to jail. One passenger even heard Lutalo mention al-Qaida.
“17th century tactics won’t work, we have 21st century tactics,” Lutalo allegedly said.
The conductor was suspicious when he saw the man with a tan blanket over his entire body and couldn’t see anything he was doing. Police said he was not armed or carrying explosives, but carrying propaganda for an anarchist group called Afrikan Liberation Army.
Minneapolis’ Star Tribune reported Lutalo was released in August from New Jersey prison after a 27-year term for aggravated assault, robbery and two counts of weapons possession.
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