Two bomb threats to Walmart stores reported in 24-hour period

ALBANY — For the second time in two days an Albany Walmart store was evacuated Wednesday after an anonymous caller telephoned in threats of having placed an explosive device on the property.

Around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, a bomb threat was phoned in to the Albany Walmart on Clark Avenue in East Albany and also to the Cracker Barrel restaurant on North Westover Boulevard, police officials say.

According to Phyllis Banks, spokeswoman for the Albany Police Department, the call warned that a vehicle in the store’s parking lot contain an explosive device. However, no such device has been located, Banks said.

Wednesday’s bomb scare was the second in a 24-hour period. On Tuesday, an anonymous caller with a male voice contacted the pharmacy department of the Lee County Walmart on Ledo Road around 5:30 p.m warning of an “explosive device” hidden it that department, Lee Sheriff’s officials say.

According to Lewis Harris, chief deputy of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Walmart on Ledo Road and all other stores in the center were evacuated. Responding to the potential threat were the Lee Sheriff’s Office, Lee County Fire Department, Lee County EMS and also the bomb team of the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany.

“The bomb team and their explosives-detecting dog did one heck of a job,” Harris said. “Those guys really know what they’re doing and our area is incredibly lucky to have them.”

According to Harris, no explosive device was located in the Ledo Road Walmart or anywhere in the shopping center. Within a little over two hours from the time of the bomb threat, Walmart management made the decision to allow workers and customers back inside the store, Harris said.