SEABROOK – Local police are expected to soon press charges against the suspect they believe is responsible for the false threats that evacuated local shopkeepers for two hours during Saturday’s prime shopping hours.
Seabrook police said they responded to Walmart around 11 a.m. after receiving a report that there was an explosive device in the store. While on their way to the mall store at 700 Lafayette Road, officers received a second call that went to the police station saying there was a man with a firearm at Walmart.
After officers took steps to ensure public safety, police quickly determined that no one was in the store with a firearm. However, Walmart and adjacent stores were evacuated while police searched for the reported explosive device.
According to police, the New Hampshire State Police Bomb Squad was called in to search the building for explosives. Police found none, determined there was no threat, and the shops reopened around 1 p.m.
While the Seabrook Police Department believes both threats were hoaxes, they do not believe Saturday’s threats are related to a series of similar calls made across New England in recent months.
Seabrook Deputy Chief Kevin Gelineau said police have a suspect in the case.
“The rapid response of our patrol officers to secure the crime scene and launch an investigation has led to a stakeholder we believe is responsible for today’s events,” Gelineau said. “Indictments will follow.”
Gelineau thanked other agencies working with the Seabrook Police Department to help with the situation, including the New Hampshire State Police and the Kensington and Hampton Falls police departments.
“With their help and the great work of our own officers, we were able to safely investigate the threats and reopen businesses in the area,” Gelineau said.
Anyone with information regarding this matter is asked to contact Seabrook Det Police. Zachary Bunszell at [email protected] or Lieutenant Timothy Mone at 603-474-5200. Anyone wishing to provide information about illegal activity may report the information to the Seabrook Police Department at 603-474-5200 or to the Crimeline for the Hamptons by phone at 603-929-1222.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Seabrook NH police: Walmart a target of fake bomb, gunman threats
