Police from across our region are working with the FBI and Joint Terrorism Task Force, investigating bomb threats made to target stores across New York, Vermont and New Hampshire on Saturday evening.”This is part of what went on nationwide,” said Shawn Burke, chief of the South Burlington police dept.He said it’s part of a “swatting” event and likely not the last of its kind.”I don’t think this will necessarily be the end these email-type threats can be done with a great deal of anonymity,” said Burke.It all started in New York around 7:30 p.m. when the Clinton County Sherriff’s Office got a report from Target saying the Plattsburgh store on Smithfield Boulevard received a threat via email.The Target was evacuated while police searched the store. They didn’t find any suspicious or harmful items. According to the sheriff’s department, similar threats were made to two other Target locations in Vermont and New Hampshire.Burke confirmed similar events in South Burlington too.”The Target was closed for a brief period of time as officers worked through clearing the building with staff there and was reopened,” said Burke. “It probably took about 20 – 25 minutes.”The Clinton County Sheriff’s office said the intention of the email sender was to cause economic harm to the corporation after operational decisions were made by the company.This comes after Target removed some of its pride merchandise last month. The company told the Associated Press that some customers vandalized store displays and threatened workers.Target also moved its pride merch from the front of its stores to the back in May.Going forward, Burke said customers shouldn’t be afraid.”We enjoy a great deal of public safety here in north-western Vermont,” said Burke. “Folks should not be intimidated by this.”Local law enforcement on both sides of the lake told NBC5 the FBI has taken over the investigation going forward with the Joint Terrorism Task Force.Police are working to identify the person responsible for the threats.
Police from across our region are working with the FBI and Joint Terrorism Task Force, investigating bomb threats made to target stores across New York, Vermont and New Hampshire on Saturday evening.
“This is part of what went on nationwide,” said Shawn Burke, chief of the South Burlington police dept.
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He said it’s part of a “swatting” event and likely not the last of its kind.
“I don’t think this will necessarily be the end these email-type threats can be done with a great deal of anonymity,” said Burke.
It all started in New York around 7:30 p.m. when the Clinton County Sherriff’s Office got a report from Target saying the Plattsburgh store on Smithfield Boulevard received a threat via email.
The Target was evacuated while police searched the store. They didn’t find any suspicious or harmful items.
According to the sheriff’s department, similar threats were made to two other Target locations in Vermont and New Hampshire.
Burke confirmed similar events in South Burlington too.
“The Target was closed for a brief period of time as officers worked through clearing the building with staff there and was reopened,” said Burke. “It probably took about 20 – 25 minutes.”
The Clinton County Sheriff’s office said the intention of the email sender was to cause economic harm to the corporation after operational decisions were made by the company.
This comes after Target removed some of its pride merchandise last month. The company told the Associated Press that some customers vandalized store displays and threatened workers.
Target also moved its pride merch from the front of its stores to the back in May.
Going forward, Burke said customers shouldn’t be afraid.
“We enjoy a great deal of public safety here in north-western Vermont,” said Burke. “Folks should not be intimidated by this.”
Local law enforcement on both sides of the lake told NBC5 the FBI has taken over the investigation going forward with the Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Police are working to identify the person responsible for the threats.
