PEDRO — A South Point man and his wife were arrested Sunday after he allegedly phoned in a bomb threat to the Lawrence County Jail.

James Christopher Brown, 22, of 103 Columbus St., was charged with making a false alarm; his wife, Summer, 19, of the same address, was charged with complicity.

Sheriff’s deputies said an anonymous man called the sheriff’s office and reported a bomb had been placed at the jail. Lawrence County 911 dispatchers traced the call to a payphone next to the Pine Tree Carryout in Pedro.

Witnesses told Deputy Julia Jones a white male wearing a bathrobe and a towel over his head had just run into the woods near an ATV trail close to the carryout.

James Brown was apprehended in the area and the bathrobe and towel were confiscated. His wife was apprehended in a vehicle parked in the area.

Lawrence County Chief Deputy Jeff Lawless said Brown has not yet given a motive for the incident.

“We plan to have a detective interview him today and see if he gives a reason for being there,” Lawless said.

While deputies searched for the suspect, Ironton police and firefighters searched the perimeter of the jail for the bomb that was not found. Visitation of inmates at the jail was stopped while the search was made.

“I know some people were upset with us about this because they couldn’t visit relatives, but our concern was safety first,” Lawless said.

Besides the sheriff’s office and Ironton police and fire, Elizabeth Township Fire Chief Dale Waugh also assisted.

Both Browns were taken to the Lawrence County Jail. They are scheduled to appear this afternoon in Ironton Municipal Court for arraignment.