Police probe bomb threat against Sam’s Club

WEST WHITELAND >> Police are investigating a bomb threat reported Sunday against the Sam’s Club Store in which the caller demanded thousands of dollars in gift cards.

West Whiteland Township Police Department said officers were dispatched at 2:27 p.m. Sunday to the store at 280 Indian Run Street in the Exton section of West Whiteland Township. The bomb threat came in by phone.

Upon arrival, store employees advised the officers that a man called the store and threatened to “blow up” the store if he was not provided with $7,500 in gift cards. Officers evacuated the store with the assistance of Sam’s Club management.

With the assistance of the Chester County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit and the Montgomery County Bomb Squad, the building was cleared and no explosives were found. Employees were allowed back into the store at about 6 p.m. No injuries were reported.

Investigators said they are attempting to determine the source of the phone call and whether the incident is related to similar incidents at Sam’s Club stores in Pennsylvania, Washington and Oklahoma that occurred on the same day.

The Chester County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery County Bomb Squad, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, West Whiteland Fire Company, Uwchlan Ambulance, Uwchlan Township Police Department, West Goshen Township Police Department and the Westtown East Goshen Regional Police Department assisted West Whiteland police.

The following reports are from the West Whiteland police:

Police said Daniel Witiak, 51, of West Chester, was charged with simple assault, harassment, stalking and recklessly endangering another person. The charges were filed after a reported road rage incident on April 13 when a female victim reported that a driver allegedly began following her car after the initial altercation. Police said according to the victim that Witiak allegedly illegally passed her vehicle and slammed on the brakes to intimidate her. The victim stopped at a red light when Witiak reportedly exited his vehicle and approached the victim’s car. He allegedly called her an expletive and reached through the car window and reportedly slapped the victim in the face, knocking off her glasses in the process. An investigation identified Witiak as the suspect. He was charged by criminal summons.

Possession

Police said Daniel Boyce, 25, of Norristown, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia after the Chester County

Sheriff’s Office served an arrest warrant for Boyce on April 13. Deputies said they recovered the contraband during Boyce’s arrest and notified patrol officers. Boyce was transported to the Chester County Prison.

Forgery

Police said Andrew Anthoney, 22, of Souderton, was charged with forgery and theft by deception on April 26. The charges were filed after officers responded to the Petco store for a report of a person attempting to pass counterfeit currency. Officers said they found Anthoney and recovered four counterfeit bills. Anthoney was arraigned by Judge John Bailey and was remanded to Chester County Prison after failing to post 10 percent of his $7,500 bail.

Retail theft

Police said Fatima Kamara, 38, of Downingtown, was charged with retail theft and receiving stolen property after an alleged theft at the Boscov’s store on April 26. Police said Kamara reportedly switched price tags on an item she purchased that resulted in a $159 loss to the store. Kamara was identified as the suspect after she was arrested at the Boscov’s store for another alleged theft on May 1. Upon arrival on May 1 for a reported theft, a loss prevention officer reported that Kamara allegedly switched price tags on an item she had purchased that resulted in a $60 loss to the store. Kamara was issued a non-traffic citation and released.

Police said Danielle Marinelli, 32, of Coatesville, was charged with retail theft and receiving stolen property on May 2 after officers responded to the Eastern Mountain Sports store for an alleged $2,378 theft by an employee. Marinelli was arraigned by Judge John Bailey and released on a $5,000 unsecured bail.

Fraud

Police said Yasmeen Jones, 28, of Coatesville, was charged with access device fraud and theft by deception on April 27 when officers responded to the Sear’s store for an alleged $75 theft. Upon arrival, officers were advised that Jones, who was an employee at the store, allegedly stole two gift cards. Jones was released on a criminal summons.

Assault

Police said Roberto Gomez, 34, of Wilmington, Del., was charged with simple assault and harassment on April 28 after officers responded to the 1000 block of Dunwoody Drive for a report of an unconscious male. Upon arrival, officers were advised that the victim struck his head on a forklift after allegedly being shoved by a co-worker after a dispute. The victim was transported to Paoli Hospital. Gomez was arraigned by Judge Lori Donatelli and remanded to Chester County Prison after failing to post 10 percent of his $5,000 bail.

DUI and drugs

Police said Sean Brand, 28, of Pottstown, was charged with DUI, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia on April 28 after an officer observed Brand reportedly speeding on the Route 100 Spur. The officer initiated a traffic stop. Brand was arrested after reportedly failing field sobriety tests. Police said the contraband was recovered during the traffic stop. Brand was released on a criminal summons.