Reading Police Department and Law Enforcement Partners Investigating Bomb Threat at Supermarket; Determine Threat Not Credible

READING — The Reading Police Department and law enforcement partners are investigating a bomb threat that was called into a Reading supermarket, and eventually determined to be not credible. 

On Monday, March 9, at approximately 1:45 p.m., the Reading Police Department was notified that Stop & Shop, at 25 Walkers Brook Drive, received a threatening telephone call that claimed there was a bomb in the building. 

Reading Police and Reading Fire responded immediately and helped evacuate the store out of an abundance of caution. Reading Police and Fire then established a safe perimeter around the building. Reading Police contacted the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad for assistance.

At approximately 3:15 p.m., Reading Police and the Bomb Squad completed a thorough search of the building and ensured there was not a bomb inside. Police have now cleared the scene, but continue to investigate the origin of the threatening call. 

Police and Fire have also learned that similar threats were called into stores in the Boston area, and they are investigating possible connections between the calls.

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