Man denies making bomb threat

A Costa Mesa man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to threatening to blow up a bank with what prosecutors said was nothing more than a backpack full of lingerie, tape and sex toys.

Richard Ronnie Spain, 55, pleaded not guilty to making criminal threats Wednesday after police said he left his bag in a Newport Beach bank, claiming it was a bomb, and walked off earlier this week.

Just after noon Monday, Newport Beach police said Spain walked into the Bank of America, 1016 Irvine Ave., and threatened to blow up the bank to the manager. Prosecutors said after the manager greeted him as he walked in, Spain bizarrely told her to freeze, imitated a gun with his hand and pointed to his blue backpack and said he’d blow up the bank.

When the manager asked him to leave, prosecutors claim, Spain agreed and left but not before throwing the bag toward the manager and yelling “boom!” when it hit the ground.

He was arrested a short time later walking away from the scene, police said.

Authorities shut down the area for about two hours while an Orange County Sheriff’s Department bomb squad robot verified the bag was not an explosive.

Police found women’s lingerie, duct tape, zip ties and several sexual bondage items inside the bag, but no explosives.

Spain has a prior conviction for criminal threats and faces up to six years in prison if convicted on all charges.

He is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail. Spain is due back in court Wednesday for a pre-trial hearing.