Man Threatens Coworker With Mine After Leaf-Blowing Argument, Police Say

QUINCY (CBS) – A disagreement over blowing leaves escalated when a man threatened his coworker with a military mine, police said.

Authorities say it all started when Bruce Beck, a maintenance worker at the Adams National Historical Park, got into an argument with a coworker Tuesday about blowing leaves toward the man's car.

The next morning, Quincy police say Beck entered the break room where the coworker and other employees were gathered, and slammed a green satchel down on the table.

Beck allegedly removed a blue Claymore mine, an M57 electrical firing device known as a clacker and other items from the satchel one-by-one, deliberately pointing them at the coworker.

"Mr. Beck began depressing the lever several times which makes a loud clacking noise," Quincy police said. "When the victim reached for his phone, Mr. Beck collected the items and returned to his work area."

Police and the bomb squad responded to the workplace, and determined the items in the satchel were not dangerous. A search of Beck's Plainville home turned up another inert Claymore mine.

Beck, a veteran, faces charges including assault by means with a dangerous weapon (a hoax device).

Police believe Beck stole the Claymore mines, which are not available to civilians, from the military.