After the deadline and a search of the store by public safety officials, employees and shoppers were allowed back inside the Kmart about 45 minutes after the bomb threat was called in.“I deliberately came here early today so I could shop and be out in just a few minutes,” said one customer who asked not to be identified. “Since I’m already here, I might as well wait it out. . .”After the initial threat that cleared the store, the suspect called again to repeat that a bomb was about to go off. A police officer was again dispatched to the scene and like the earlier threat, no explosive device was found.A Kmart employee said it is suspected that the bomb threats came from a former employee.
Santa Paula Kmart evacuated after bogus bomb threat
January 04, 2002
Santa Paula Police Department
Santa Paula police and firefighters responded to a local department store Wednesday morning after a woman called to say a bomb was due to go off in a matter of minutes.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesSanta Paula police and firefighters responded to a local department store Wednesday morning after a woman called to say a bomb was due to go off in a matter of minutes.The incident occurred shortly after 9 a.m., according to Interim Assistant Fire Chief John Harber, when an employee of Kmart, located on Faulkner Road, received a phone call from a woman who said a bomb in the store would go off in 15 minutes.Police and fire were dispatched to the scene, as well as an ambulance.The store was evacuated as a precaution and employees as well as shoppers looking for after Christmas bargains were directed to the parking lot, well away from the store.