NORTHAMPTON — A city man accused of falsely threatening to set off a bomb at a Northampton bank in March denied that charge Wednesday.

Sidney R. Arens, 35, of 79 Michelman Ave., Apt. 1, pleaded not guilty in Northampton District Court to making a false bomb threat.

Arens allegedly walked into Greenfield Savings Bank, 325 King St., on March 16 and told a teller, after requesting access to his deposit box, that it was “time to set the bomb,” according to a police report. 

The teller was so shocked by the statement, she later told police, that she did not sound the silent alarm or call authorities out of fear that it would provoke Arens into setting off an explosive device.

The teller also could not determine what Arens actually put into his deposit box because there are no cameras inside the vault, according to the report.

After six minutes in the vault, Arens left the bank at about 3 p.m., and the teller phoned her supervisor, according to the report. Police were notified about 1 ½ hours later, according to the report.

Northampton Police, the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad and fire and rescue officials then spent about an hour at the scene and determined there was no threat.

Investigators determined that the deposit box contained cash and a medical marijuana card, police said.

Using bank records, police and the teller positively identified the man as Arens. Detectives found the man at his address, where he appeared flabbergasted by the allegation he made a bomb threat, according to the report.

Later that day, investigators interviewed Arens at the police station, where he continued to deny he made any kind of threat, authorities said.

It was possible, Arens told police, that he may have remarked to the bank teller how sturdy the vault appeared — that it could likely survive a bomb blast.

Arens told police during the interview that he “could have made a comment about that,” according to the report.

Two weeks later, detectives reviewed surveillance footage and noted that it shows the teller clearly “upset” and “animated.” 

Arens was not arrested but rather was summoned to appear in court.

He declined comment when reached by phone Wednesday evening.

Michael Majchrowicz can be reached at mmajchrowicz@gazettenet.com.