AUSTIN, Texas – A serious situation unfolded early Wednesday when a 40-year-old man named Benny Caldera Jr. was arrested for allegedly plotting an attack on the Texas Capitol. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reported that they received reliable information about this planned violent act, which was supposed to take place on Thursday in Austin.
The tip-off came in late Tuesday evening, prompting SWAT officers to take action. They arrested Caldera around 3 a.m. Wednesday at his home in Converse, a city near San Antonio. Now, Caldera could face serious charges, including making a felony terroristic threat against a public servant, according to the DPS statement. After being jailed, he was released on a bond set at $75,000.
As of now, details about the specifics of the alleged plot remain under wraps as the investigation is ongoing. However, the DPS ensured that state lawmakers were alerted about the threat and the subsequent arrest early on Wednesday morning. Despite the alarming news, the Capitol continued to operate normally during its regular hours.
In light of the situation, Texas Senate Secretary Patsy Spaw announced that security measures at the Capitol would be heightened while the investigation continues. Governor Greg Abbott also voiced his concerns, emphasizing that the Texas Department of Public Safety was assisted by the FBI in apprehending Caldera. In a strong statement on social media, he declared, “Texas will NOT tolerate threats of violence against our Capitol.”
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and the seriousness of threats to public safety. The ongoing investigation will likely shed more light on the motives behind this alarming plot.
