A bomb squad investigated a possible explosive device inside an Oakland Hills home Tuesday morning, but later determined that it was a hoax bomb, according to the Alameda County Sheriff's Office.
It was connected to a suspected serial bank robber.
Law enforcement agents from local, federal and state agencies arrested 49-year-old Duane Makela. He is facing bank robbery charges and a first degree drug charge.
Makela was arrested early Tuesday morning at Kaiser Hospital in Oakland. He was there because his wife was giving birth to their second child.
Orinda police have been working to arrest Makela for two years; they had been working with the FBI gathering evidence when the arrest happened Tuesday.
Around that same time, federal agents, along with the Oakland Police Department and Alameda County sheriff's deputies swarmed the home he shared with his parents.
The FBI had a warrant to search the home. Orinda police used a state warrant to gather evidence on two bank robberies they are connecting him to.
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Makela’s car was also searched, and police found a possible bomb there. The bomb squad rendered it safe.
The home is located on Stockbridge Drive. No evacuations were ordered.
