Eleven Walmart stores across Maine were evacuated on Saturday night after multiple automated over-the-phone bomb threats were received in several counties. The calls were received between 7:30 and 8:00 in the evening.
Authorities said affected areas in Maine were Biddeford, Falmouth, Houlton, Scarborough, Windham, Thomaston, Skowhegan, Newport and Calais. However, an updated WGME November 29 report says that Walmart stores located in Maine are not the only ones that were evacuated. Several Walmart stores in New York, Louisiana, Mississippi, Wyoming and Idaho stores were also evacuated after similar automated over-the-phone bomb threats were reported.
Police evacuated the stores while they and bomb-sniffing dogs searched the places for bombs and other explosives. Customers were only allowed back in after the areas were cleared from possible danger. Authorities are taking the calls seriously especially after the Paris attack.
"It definitely was taken seriously," James Ross, chief deputy at the Somerset County Sheriff's Department, commented. "We had two deputies respond to Palmyra, and one deputy assisted at Skowhegan. When nothing was found, Wal-Mart made the decision to reopen," Ross said. "As events unfolded, we learned that a number of other WalMarts in the state had received the exact same threat. The sheriff's office will be ready to assist other agencies if leads develop."
On the other hand, a spokesperson for Walmart, Brian Nick, said, "The safety of customers and employees are of utmost importance."
The caller's voice was said to be that of a male, possibly generated through a computer. The call warns of an "intent to denote bombs inside of the big box stores, The Election Central reports. According to the Portland Press Herald, Waterville police Sgt. Brian Gardiner revealed the automated call was received about 7:54 in the evening. It talked about a threat at the Waterville store. However, police believe it was a prank.
Walmart is working closely with the authorities to determine who is or are responsible for such a threat.