State, nation grapple with bomb hoax

Connecticut’s state and local law enforcement authorities, like many others throughout the country, were scrambling Thursday to address what appeared to be a coordinated series of bomb threat hoaxes.

The Ridgefield Police Department, for example, posted on Facebook that officers were investigating “reports of emailed bomb threats ... similar to ones received across Connecticut today. It appears, but is not yet confirmed, that these emails are part of a mass mailing.”

Danbury’s Finest responded to similar threats received at Ameri-Cares and Hancock Hall, said Mayor Mark Boughton. Danbury officials similarly thought the threats were part of a hoax. But, Boughton said, “We do take these things seriously. We’ve deployed our resources and check each one out.”

Fairfield Police investigated an emailed threat at the Country Club of Fairfield that stated “there was a bomb in the building and that if they did not send $20,000 in bitcoin they would detonate the device.” No device was located. Connecticut State Police said Thursday evening they responded to a threat at Griswold Elementary School.

“To date, none of the threats were found to be creditable but we strongly encourage anyone who may receive a suspicious email to immediately call 911,” said the State Police.

According to the Associated Press, apparently fake bomb threats were sent to dozens of schools, universities and other locations across the United States, including New York City; Palm Beach County, Fla.; Boise, Idaho; Penn State University and Atlanta.

The AP reported that the New York City Police Department said the threats sent Thursday 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.”

Back in Connecticut, Newtown police responded to an unfounded bomb threat at the National Shooting Sports Foundation around 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Lt. Aaron Bahamonde said the department later learned the threat was one of many across the country demanding payment in Bitcoin.

“We are going to always treat those situations seriously,” Bahamonde said. “We are never going to brush it off.”

Seymour Police evacuated Seybridge Plaza on Route 67 for about two hours, as well as MPI Systems in the Silvermine Industrial Park, while responding to the potential bomb threat.

Police Chief Paul Satkowski said Thursday all employees and customers at the businesses in Seybridge, which include Seybridge Pharmacy, Dunkin Donuts, Hot Tamale’s and several others, were evacuated until police conducted a thorough search of the property.

The same protocol was followed at MPI, Satkowski said.

Fortunately, no bombs were found, he said.

“All threats made at a business or anywhere are investigated to the fullest extent until we can dispel those threats,” Satkowskis said.