Two Walmart stores in Long Beach were evacuated Thursday after employees reported receiving letters mentioning threats of a explosive device planted inside the businesses.
Police responded to the Walmart on the 3700 block of South Street at 8:45AM after employees reported they “received a suspicious letter regarding an explosive device that had been placed in the store,” according to Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) spokesman Sgt. Brad Johnson.
The business self-evacuated.
Officers searched the exterior of the building and conducted a sweep of the building with the help of a K-9 unit, Johnson said. That store was subsequently cleared and will be returning to business as usual shortly, Johnson said.
Walmart manager says he received a letter saying that the is a bomb and that there is a ‘present’ for first responders. #longbeachpic.twitter.com/Nhtorj9njA
— Joseph Philipson (@joephilipson) March 23, 2017
The Walmart inside the Long Beach Towne Center, located in the 7200 block of Carson Street, reported receiving the same type of letter at 11:35AM, according to Johnson.
That store also self-evacuated.
It was eventually declared clear after police found no explosive inside.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Note: this story was updated at 3:35PM with information on the second store being cleared.
Above, left: Google screenshot of Walmart inside the Long Beach Towne Center.