Columbus Circle standoff: New York City police arrest man after overnight standoff and bomb hoax

The suspect threw a bomb into a police van in Times Square before barricading himself in his SUV

New York City police have ended an overnight standoff with a man who they believe tossed an apparent fake bomb into a squad van prior to the arrest.

The suspect, 52 year-old Hector Meneses, was taken into custody after he locked himself in his minivan in Columbus Circle, a high-traffic segment of Midtown Manhattan just north of Times Square – where police suspect he threw the fake explosive late Wednesday night, ABC 7 reported.

The standoff ended around 7.45 am local time, according to NYPD Chief James P O’Neill. Meneses was carried off on a stretcher, reportedly to wearing a red helmet, sunglasses, and what was described as tactical vest.

“I have a bomb on me and I want to die,” the suspect reportedly told officers.

Police recovered 19 LED lights, wires, and a remote in the man’s vehicle after his arrest. Chief O’Neill said he had been trying to make a bomb, but “didn’t even get close to an improvised device,” according to a reporter on the scene.

Bystanders who witnessed the conclusion of the hours-long standoff were shocked to find out what had been going on just as rush hour traffic was descending on the city.

“We heard a cop saying, ‘Come out with your hands up’. Next thing I know a cop tells us to leave,” Jennifer Constanza told the New York Daily News. “They told us a suicide bomber was nearby.”

The 59th Street Columbus Circle subway station was closed, and commuters were instructed by transit police to plan around the closure.

Members of SWAT teams, K-9 units, and bomb squads were present during the standoff.

Two NYPD officers are being heralded for their heroics prior to the incident when the suspect allegedly tossed the fake bomb through an open window in the police van parked in Times Square.

According to the Daily News, Sgt Hameed Armani and Officer Peter Cybulski did not try to throw what they believed to be a bomb outside the vehicle, or flee, but instead drove the van away from the popular tourist destination.

"We knew what each other was thinking," said Officer Cybulski. "We weren't going to let anything happen in Times Square."

Sgt Armani added: "We both said our prayers."

Bomb squad determined the object to be a hoax device – a candle, a cylindrical electrical device, and a flashing LED light – after examination.

Police evacuated and cordoned off the surrounding area.

Meneses was taken to Bellevue Hospital for psychiatric evaluation. He is being treated as "mentally disturbed".