Man spotted at FBI building week before he rammed entrance gate with truck

PITTSBURGH — A man is facing federal charges after ramming the gate at the FBI building on Pittsburgh's South Side Tuesday.

Thomas Richard Ross, 48, of New Waterford, Ohio, is charged with damaging government property and causing damage to buildings or property within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.%

%

Ross was pulled over by Pittsburgh police Tuesday after running approximately eight or nine red lights. During a brief conversation with officers, Ross claimed to have a bomb.

He then floored it, smashing into the gates of the FBI. His truck ended up inside the parking lot.

Ross was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Nobody else was hurt, and no bomb was located, according to the FBI.

"We take all these things very seriously," said FBI spokesperson Greg Heeb.

Heeb said they were not sure what Ross' intentions were, but that they will investigate any possible connections to groups or criminal activity. At this point, Heeb said, that doesn't appear to be the case.

According to the criminal complaint obtained by Channel 11 News Tuesday night, Ross was at the FBI building last week. He was approached by a security guard after being spotted near the entrance gate that he rammed into Tuesday. The complaint stated that Ross said he wanted to see an FBI agent. When the guard asked Ross for identification, he began acting erratically and eventually left, police said.

The complaint also revealed that while he was being released from the hospital Tuesday, Ross jumped out of his wheelchair and attempted to run, but he was caught. In addition to the federal charges, Ross is now charged with escape.

Some of Ross’ former neighbors in Ohio, who spoke with Channel 11 News on Wednesday, said he had substance abuse issues, told far-fetched stories and had conflicts with everyone he met.

“(He is) a bit odd. He didn't really talk to many people on the road,” Michael Miller, who knew Ross for many years, said.

A look at Ross’ criminal record showed several charges filed against him in Ohio from 2001 to 2003 for petty theft and writing bad checks.

If convicted of the most recent accusations brought against him, he could face up to 30 years behind bars.

Cox Media Group