Chandler business cleared after receiving hoax bomb threat

PHOENIX — A Chandler business was among dozens of schools, universities and other locations across the U.S. that received bomb threats that were believed to be fake on Thursday.

Sgt. Seth Tyler with the Chandler Police Department said Group Mobile International reported a bomb threat that morning. Officers quickly determined that there was no threat.

Tyler said the threat was made over email but did not disclose the content of the message. He said he believed the business did not shut down after the threat was reported.

The department’s criminal investigations bureau was following up at the business, which is located near Chandler Boulevard and Kyrene Road.

It was not immediately clear whether the threat sent to the Chandler business was connected to the threats sent to other national locations.

Phoenix police said it was also responding to bomb threats in the city, but did not immediately disclose more information. Scottsdale and Tempe police also confirmed multiple calls about similar threats, none of which appeared to be credible.

The New York City Police Department said the threats sent were meant to cause disruption and compel recipients into sending money and are not considered credible.

Some of the emails had the subject line: “Think Twice.”

The Palm Beach County, Florida, sheriff’s office and the Boise, Idaho, police said they had no reason to believe that threats made to locations in those areas were credible.

Across the country, some schools were closed early and others were evacuated because of the threats. Penn State University notified students via a campus alert. Near Atlanta, people were ushered out of a courthouse.

We are aware of recent bomb threats made in cities around the country & remain in touch w/ our law enforcement partners to provide assistance. As always, we encourage the public to remain vigilant & to report suspicious activities that could represent a threat to public safety.

— ATF HQ (@ATFHQ) December 13, 2018

Multiple businesses throughout LVMPD’s jurisdiction have received an email bomb threat, similar to those reported nationally. These hoax bomb threats seem to be related to each other. The threats are being investigated and no devices have been located at this time. #LVMPDnews

— LVMPD (@LVMPD) December 13, 2018

(1/2) At approximately 10AM this morning #SFPD responded to reports of bomb threats at numerous locations throughout the city. SFPD is responding to each location. We have received information that several other cities across the United States have received similar threats. pic.twitter.com/AEyFanZRvr

— San Francisco Police (@SFPD) December 13, 2018

In October, 56-year-old Cesar Sayoc was arrested for allegedly sending least a dozen suspicious packages to high-profile newsmakers, including Hillary Clinton, former President Barack Obama and CNN.

He faced five federal crimes and could serve up to 58 years in prison. The charges could change or expand based on the investigation, law enforcement officials said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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