A man described as a high-ranking Hamas operative was arrested last week as he videotaped the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, authorities said Tuesday. Ismael Selim Elbarasse, long suspected by authorities of having financial ties to the Palestinian group, was held as a material witness in an unrelated terrorism case in Chicago. He was not charged with any wrongdoing in connection with the videotaping. Gov. Robert Ehrlich said the arrest has prompted the state to place more police around the bridge, but said «it shouldn't be a generator of fear. It should serve as a reminder that there is a war going on around the world.» Elbarasse made an initial appearance in Baltimore federal court Monday before Magistrate Paul W. Grimm. He is to appear again Friday for a detention hearing at which the magistrate will likely decide to turn him over to federal officials in Chicago, authorities said. --More 2318 Local Time 2018 GMT
