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Walmart bomb threat investigation continues
Posted: 07.28.2012 at 5:02 PM
Mark Slavit

Mark Slavit is the Columbia Bureau chief and the Mid-Missouri Traveler.

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Walmart officials continue to work closely with law enforcement to find out who is responsible for bomb threats in 5 of their Missouri stores including Jefferson City’s eastside location.

Eastside Jefferson City Walmart managers re-opened their store last night after evacuating their employees and customers for a bomb threat.

Authorities said no one has taken responsibility.

All of the Missouri Walmart bomb threats took place on Friday evening.  Someone also called in bomb threats to stores in Raytown, Gladstone, Nixa and Ozark.  Jefferson City Police Investigators are working with state authorities to see if there is a connection.

Jefferson City Police Sgt. Randy Werner said, “Since there were so many calls to various Walmarts throughout the state, I believe the state emergency agencies are getting involved.”

After receiving the bomb threat, Jefferson City Walmart managers told shoppers to leave their carts and leave the store.  Jefferson City Police blocked the store’s entrance after the evacuation.

Jefferson City Police Officers were on the scene for about 2 and a half hours.  During that time, Capitol Police Officers responded with their bomb sniffing dog.

Police gave the all clear sign just after 10:00 p.m.

Werner said, “We did get the assistance of the Capitol Police who brought their explosives detection K9 to the scene.  The store was searched and cleared.  Nothing unusual was ever found.”

Authorities said nothing was found at all 5 threatened Missouri Walmart locations on Friday night.  No one was hurt.

Two Walmart stores in Tulsa, Oklahoma also received bomb threats on the same day in June.

A boy, 13, in Minnesota is suspected of making a threat in April that led to the evacuation of a Walmart in Alabama.

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