An Alabama man is behind bars in Georgia after authorities said he called 911 to report that a pickup truck parked near a shopping center could have a bomb inside.

Robert Devlin, a 37-year-old from Lincoln, made that 911 call but was also the owner and driver of the truck containing the possible explosive device, according to Marietta Police Department officials.

“It is unclear why he traveled to Marietta or called 911 on himself,’’ authorities said in a Monday news release.

The ordeal began about 8:15 a.m. Saturday.

Marietta police received notification from Cobb County 911 that a tip had come in indicating that a pickup truck parked in the area near the East Gate shopping plaza on Lower Roswell Road may have some sort of a bomb or explosive device in the back.

Marietta officers went to the area and made contact with Devlin.

Based on the circumstances and statements made by Devlin, officers determined the threat to be credible and immediately began evacuating the area.

Devlin was taken into custody without incident and the surrounding businesses were notified and requested to evacuate.

Cobb County sheriff’s deputies and police officers, as well as Marietta and Cobb County firefighters, assisted with the evacuation and traffic control.

The Cobb County Police Department’s bomb squad, ATF and the FBI also responded to the scene.

About noon, a device resembling a pipe bomb was removed from the truck and secured by the bomb technicians.

The rest of the vehicle was methodically searched via robot.

Once the truck was determined to be free of other devices, the vehicle was impounded, and the area was reopened to the public around 3 p.m.

Devlin, because of inconsistencies in his statements and lack of knowledge of the contents of the suspected pipe bomb, was charged with falsely reporting a crime, destructive devices -hoax device, and false public alarm, police said.

Two of those charges are misdemeanors, and one is a felony.

Several hours later, detectives were notified that bomb experts had safely opened the suspected pipe bomb and determined that while it did contain some explosive elements, it lacked other components necessary for it to be considered a fully assembled explosive device.

Based on that new information, the ATF and FBI declined to adopt the case. Devlin remains charged with the three initial crimes.

He is being held in the Cobb County Jail on bonds totaling $60,000.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call 770-794-5345.