Pine Bush man threatened to ‘shoot up’ bank, police say
“Law enforcement cannot ignore any incidence where threats are made.”
— Ellenville Police Chief Phillip S. Mattracion
An Orange County man was arrested and charged after threatening to shoot up a village bank and then “shoot it out” with police, authorities said Wednesday.
Guy Matthew Lorenz, 54, of Pine Bush, was charged with one felony count of making a terroristic threat after an incident Tuesday, Nov. 22, at M&T Bank on U.S. Route 209.
At about 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, village police responded to a call from the bank regarding an “irate customer,” according to a press release.
“Upon arrival at the bank, it was discovered that the customer (later identified as Lorenz) made statements to bank employees that he was coming back to shoot the bank up, and if they sent law enforcement to his house, he would shoot it out with police,” police said.
An investigation linked the threat to Lorenz who, “because of his employment” had permits for explosives, police said.
“As a result, and out of an abundance of caution, the bank was then closed; it reopened after the suspect was in custody,” police said.
In conjunction with Ulster County Sheriff’s Detective Division, uniformed deputies and police dogs found Lorenz at his home, where he surrendered without incident. He was arraigned before Wawarsing Town Judge Charles Dechon and released with an appearance ticket for Wawarsing Town Court at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30.
“In the world and climate that we live in today, where mass shootings are becoming the rule rather than the exception, law enforcement cannot ignore any incidence where threats are made,” Ellenville Police Chief Phillip S. Mattracion said in a statement. “There is no way to know for certain if the threat is real until it is completely vetted out.”
Citing the assistance of both the Sheriff’s Department and state police, the chief added, “Make no doubt about it, we will continue without hesitation to bring these resources to bear in every single instance that a threat is received of this nature. … We will hold those responsible for these acts accountable to the extent that the law permits.”