Update: Anderson police say Walmart bomb threat was a hoax

ANDERSON, Calif. —

UPDATE:

Anderson police say the bomb threat made over a phone call has been determined to be a hoax.

Around 4:00 p.m., Anderson police officers were dispatched to the Anderson Walmart for a report of a bomb threat. Walmart management had contacted SHASCOM dispatchers to report a phone call they received from a man who indicated a "bomb" was inside the store and that it would "blow up."

Officers met with store management at the scene as well as the employee who received the phone call. It was decided to be in the best interest of public safety to evacuate the store and surrounding businesses until further investigation could be done.

Store shoppers and employees were moved off the property a safe distance away.

Officers conducted a sweep of the store with management, checking all parts of the store for any type of suspicious device. No devices were found and nothing seemed out of place. Employees and customers were allowed back inside once the property was determined to be safe.

Further investigation into the call revealed the threatening caller sounded like a younger, possibly teenage male. The male would not provide his name, the type of device, the location of the device, or a reason he would want to detonate a bomb.

Anderson police say a criminal investigation has been initiated, which will include the service of search warrants for phone records to determine the identity of the caller for criminal prosecution. Additionally, security measures have been put in place at the store for immediate call tracking.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Anderson police have started letting employees and shoppers return to the Walmart after searching the building for possible explosive materials. Police had said they would call the bomb squad in if they found anything suspicious.

The bomb squad was never called out.

Anderson police evacuated the Walmart and surrounding businesses around 4 p.m. Tuesday after the store reported a bomb threat.

Police said Walmart received the bomb threat call Tuesday afternoon. Police quickly responded and assisted with getting everyone out of the store.

Officials said the evacuations are a precautionary measure for the public's safety. Officials added no injuries have been reported.

Road closures are have been lifted.

Officials said information about where the call came from is not being released at this time.

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