The Daytona Beach News-Journal

May 21, 2010 12:05 AM

Southeast Volusia

William F. Biggers

He may have intended it as a joke, but threatening to blow up a woman with a fake hand grenade was no laughing matter, according to Edgewater police.

William F. Biggers, 62, a transient from Oak Hill, was arrested Wednesday morning after an employee at the Dunkin' Donuts on South Ridgewood Avenue told officers he tried to rob her while she was cleaning the store's windows.

Cherish Michelle Williams, 41, said Biggers came up behind her and demanded her money "or he was going to blow up this place." When she turned she saw what she thought was a hand grenade in his hand, police said.

Biggers then told her he was joking and the device was not live.

The responding officer spotted Biggers sitting on a bench a short distance away with the grenade next to him. An investigation showed its explosive components had been removed.

Biggers was taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault before being taken to the Volusia County Branch Jail. He remained there Thursday on $2,000 bail.