Bomb threat prompts evacuation of Augusta Walmart on Wednesday

AUGUSTA — A bomb threat at the Augusta Walmart on Wednesday evening (the fourth this year) led to another evacuation and closure of the store.

Augusta Police are investigating whether four threatening messages left at the store and four alleged bomb threats are related and were left by the same person.

Staff Sergeant Eric Lloyd said the threats may have been made by the same person. “It is possible and has not been ruled out one way or another at this time.”

So far this year, city police have responded to six bomb threats citywide. four at Walmart. Lloyd said the scares at Walmart happened in April. June, Septemberand now it’s October.

The threat was reported at 18.27. The store was evacuated and closed and reopened around 8 p.m.

After a gruesome complaint was reported to police, officers met with Walmart staff and decided to evacuate the store, Police Chief Kevin Lully said.

Lloyd, who declined to elaborate on how police respond to bomb alert calls, said generally when a threat is made, police will order the evacuation of the building, conduct a search there and provide their assessment of the attack, depending on the nature of the threat. The status of the relevant business. Whether the business will reopen or remain closed that day or night depends on the business’s choice.

Lully said the terrorizing complaint is under active investigation and asked anyone with information to contact police at 207-626-2370 ext. 3418.

Hannah Henderson, a spokeswoman for Walmart’s global press office, said the company did not discuss safety and security procedures but said it works closely with law enforcement and “the safety of our associates and customers is our top priority.”