Bomb Threat at the Belfair Safeway Store

News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: (360)427-9670 Ext 313 or (360)275-4467 Ext 313
Authority:  Detective William Adam

Case Number:  10-10638

Shelton, WA - Sunday, August 1, 2010

The Mason County Sheriff’s Office was notified this morning around 11:38 am that a bomb had been placed inside the Belfair Safeway Store.

An unidentified caller with an unrecognizable voice called the store and spoke to an employee. This unknown person stated that a bomb was inside the store and that it would explode.  The employee immediately called 911.

The Mason County Sheriff’s Office responded along with members of the Washington State Patrol Multiagency Bomb Squad, several Washington State Patrol bomb sniffing K-9, and members of the Mason County Fire District #2 Firefighters and Fire Aid Paramedics.

The store was completely evacuated and two different bomb detection robots from the WSP looked for the alleged bomb within the store as well as bomb detection officers cleared the parking area.  The WSP bomb sniffing K-9 were then sent in with WSP Trooper Handlers and members of the Mason County Sheriff’s Office including Sheriff Casey Salisbury.

No explosive devices were detected in the different searches.  Store management and staff were allowed back into the store after almost three hours of searching.  The store employees then conducted another search before re-opening the store to the public.