Police arrested 36-year-old David Piper at around 5 p.m. in Scotia, about three and a half hours after he allegedly phoned a nearby community college and said, "something going to happen to Utica College," without further elaboration, Utica Public Safety Commissioner Daniel LaBella told the Utica Observer-Dispatch.

Officials at the community college warned Utica College of the threat, prompting a lock down the campus, LaBella said.

Scotia is about 75 miles east of Utica.

The alleged threat prompted college officials to lock down all buildings on campus to allow entrance and exit through a single door. Extra security guards and police also were dispatched to the school.

Scotia police Sgt. Thomas Rush said Piper told investigators that he called Herkimer County Community College to find out about classes and get general information.

"They feel and we feel that he is not a threat at this point," Rush said.

Piper was released after being questioned for a few hours and as of Thursday night had not been charged.