PROVO — Police are searching for a man they say used a homemade bomb to clear employees and patrons from a movie theater early Sunday so he could steal Saturday night's proceeds.
Police say the man entered the Wynnsong 12 at 4925 N. Edgewood Drive just after midnight and announced that he was going to "burn the place down." Witnesses then reported seeing the man ignite a homemade incendiary device.
The device caused only minor damage, police said, and appeared to be nothing more than a distraction to force moviegoers and theater employees to evacuate. No one was injured during the device's detonation or the evacuation, police said.
The man then entered a room where the night's proceeds were being counted and prepared for deposit, police said. He left the theater with an undisclosed amount of money.
Provo fire crews took possession of the incendiary device for analysis.
Witnesses described the man as white, with a thin build and wearing a jacket and a derby-style hat.
Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to call 801-852-6210.
E-mail: jpage@desnews.com