Man found with weapon, 9mm rounds at Columbus theater - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

A man was arrested late Thursday night for carrying a concealed weapon in a Columbus theater on Whittlesey Boulevard.

Joshua A. Vardeman, 23, was arrested inside the Carmike 15 after he was found to be carrying a semi-automatic CZ-75 9mm handgun and several bullets.  

Vardeman was allegedly carrying what looked like a laptop computer bag. An off-duty officer stopped him and told him all bags were being checked. The officer searched his bag and found a fully loaded gun, an extra magazine, ammunition, and four knives.

Bomb techs from the Hazardous Device Response Team searched Vardeman's car where they found a hundred 9mm rounds and a hunting knife. 

Investigators also searched his home, but found no additional ammunition or weapons. 

Vardeman was charged with carrying a deadly weapon, carrying a concealed weapon without a license, and carrying a concealed weapon to a public gathering - all misdemeanors.  Investigators added there is no evidence that Vardeman intended to harm anyone. 

He bonded out of jail Friday morning around 5:00 after posting a $1076.00 bond.  His case will be sent to state court.

On a separate note, this happened a few hours after police say someone left a voicemail at Carmike Cinema's corporate office in Columbus around 7:00 Thursday night saying multiple bombs were in Carmike Theaters.

Police say Carmike officials discovered the call Friday morning. The call prompted the search of more than 100 theaters across the nation including theaters in Columbus, Fort Benning, GA and Auburn, AL

Friday morning, bomb techs searched Carmike 15, Ritz 13, Peachtree 8 in Columbus and Wynnsong 10 on Fort Benning, and Wynnsong 16 in Auburn, but nothing was found.

In light of the massacre that happened in Aurora, Co last month, officials say are taking every precaution possible to keep the community safe.

Carmike owns close to 240 theaters in 35 states.  

Carmike Cinemas issued the following statement Friday afternoon:  

On the evening of August 16^th, Carmike Cinemas received a non-specific telephoned bomb threat at our corporate offices in Columbus, Georgia after hours.  We alerted community law enforcement officials and the FBI. Searches have been completed at the affected theatres by members of law enforcement and nothing was found.

A federal investigation is underway and Carmike is assisting with this as well as in the many communities where we have theatres.  If additional details on the investigation are uncovered, we expect those to come from federal and local law enforcement agencies.

All theatres affected by the threat have been checked and deemed safe for use. Carmike Cinemas would like to express our thanks to the law enforcement agencies that quickly responded and ensured the safety of our guests. For movie listings please visit www.carmike.com.

The following is a statement from the FBI: 

The FBI's Atlanta Field office is aware of the telephonic threats received by Carmike Cinemas and has initiated a criminal investigation into the matter.  While the FBI takes seriously such threats or efforts to extort or intimidate companies engaged in interstate commerce, responding law enforcement, to date, have not developed evidence or information at those specific locations that would substantiate or elevate the threat.  Anyone with information regarding this matter should contact the Atlanta Office FBI at tel. (404) 679-9000 or email at atlanta@ic.fbi.gov .

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