Bomb threat closes fitness center

A Planet Fitness in Norwich was evacuated Saturday evening following a reported bomb threat, marking at least the third time in a week the gyms in the state have been targeted, police said.

The Norwich Police Department said officers were dispatched at 5 p.m. to the Planet Fitness located at 42 Town St.

Police noted “numerous other towns and cities in Connecticut as well as other states, received similar threats.”

At the Norwich location, Planet Fitness managers evacuated the building after being advised of the possible threat, police said. The managers in Norwich also closed the business early, police said.

Police said that, with the aid of the Mohegan Tribal Police Department Canine Unit, the building was cleared by a combination of Norwich Police Department patrol and detective units.

No threat was found within or around the location, police said.

The Norwich Police Department will continue to investigate the incident with assistance from state and federal partners, police said.

Earlier last week, fitness centers in Hamden and East Haven were evacuated following the latest in a series of bomb threats made against the gym chain — marking the second time since last week the East Haven location received a bomb scare.

Bomb threats against Planet Fitness centers in both towns were received by the New Haven Police Department, according to the Hamden and East Haven police departments.

East Haven Police Capt. Joseph Murgo said in a statement that officers learned just after 4:15 p.m. on Thursday that police in New Haven received an email from an unidentified sender that stated a bomb was planted at the Planet Fitness at 836 Foxon Road. The gym, surrounding businesses and nearby homes were evacuated until the New Haven police bomb squad could search the building.

Anyone who has information related to the Norwich incident is asked to contact the Norwich Police Department at 860-886-5561 or an anonymous tip line at 860-886-5561, ext. 4.