Andrew A. Bevan, 55, from Port Charlotte, landed in jail Wednesday, March 4, 2026, after planting a fake bomb at the UPS Store in Venice Commons Plaza. Early that morning on East Venice Avenue, someone spotted the suspicious device. The store cleared out, and Venice police rushed in. By around 10:50 a.m., investigators confirmed it was just a hoax bomb and gave the all-clear.
Bevan now faces two second-degree felony charges: planting or threatening to use a hoax bomb, plus filing a false bomb report. Police first booked him into Sarasota County Jail without bond, but later records show they moved him to Charlotte County Jail.
Bevan has an arrest record and has lost his Florida Bar license more than once. He has publicly discussed his bipolar disorder, and he ran for the Sarasota County Commission at one point. Back in 2021, authorities reported him missing and considered him endangered, but he turned up safe.
Some reports list his age as 55; other reports say 56.
