Suspect arrested for making terrorist threats

On Aug. 3, officers with the Tehachapi Police Department were made aware of a subject, later identified as 55-year-old Tehachapi resident Robert Kovach who was making threats to bomb the Tehachapi Police station.

Investigators worked diligently to obtain an arrest warrant and a search warrant for Kovach's residence. Officers were able to take Kovach into custody during a traffic stop, which a subsequent search of his vehicle revealed it contained approximately one pound of an explosive material, commonly referred to as "poor man's c4."

Investigators with the Tehachapi Police Department and Kern County Sheriff's Bomb Squad conducted a search of Kovach's residence in the 21000 block of Blue Oaks Avenue in Golden Hills. Some of the items located were homemade ignition fuses, approximately seven grams of methamphetamine, firearms and drug paraphernalia.

Kovach was subsequently booked into the Kern County Jail on a "no bail" arrest warrant for making terrorist threats. Additional charges of being under the influence while armed, possession of narcotics while armed, possession of a destructive device and manufacturing a destructive device will also be sought.

If you have any additional information, please contact the Tehachapi Police Department at (661) 822-2222.