Man in floating hamster wheel captured off Georgia coast after 3-day standoff with Coast Guard – WSB-TV Channel 2

ATLANTA — A person who stated he was attempting to cross the Atlantic in a selfmade hamster wheel has been arrested off the coast of Tybee Island.

Reza Baluchi, 51, of Florida, was captured about 70 miles off the Tybee coast in his vessel that seemed like a large hamster wheel.

The Coast Guard got here in touch with Baluchi on Aug. 26 as he was attempting to make the 5,000-mile trek from Florida to London, England.

That’s when the guard stated Baluchi threatened to kill himself with a 12-inch knife and claimed he had a bomb on board.

“USCG officers believed this to be a legitimate risk, as they noticed Baluchi holding wires in his hand,” courtroom paperwork confirmed.

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After two days, Baluchi admitted there was no bomb on board.

“The USCG Cutter Campbell launched a small boat to aim to ship meals, water, and predictions of the incoming hurricane to Baluchi. USCG officers once more ordered Baluchi off the Vessel, however he once more refused. It was then that Baluchi knowledgeable the USCG officers that the bomb was not actual,” courtroom paperwork stated.

A day later he lastly acquired off his hamster wheel and was taken into custody.

In keeping with courtroom paperwork, this was not Baluchi’s first voyage within the vessel.

“Previous to this incident, Baluchi has tried voyages in an identical selfmade vessel in 2014, 2016, and 2021, all of which resulted in USCG intervention,” courtroom paperwork stated.

Baluchi now faces federal expenses, together with obstruction of a boarding and violation of a Captain of the Port order.

Baluchi’s bond was set at $250,000. A part of his bond situations embrace not going to the ocean or boarding a vessel on the ocean.

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