False Bomb Threat Evacuates Mercer Mall Businesses

Four business in Mercer Mall were evacuated and explosives-detecting dogs used to conduct a search after someone phoned in a bomb threat to the Bed Bath & Beyond store late this afternoon, according to Lawrence Township police.

Ultimately, no bomb was located and the four businesses – Bed Bath & Beyond, PetCo, Tiger Schulmann’s Karate, and Ross Dress for Less – reopened for business after about 90 minutes, police said.

Police were alerted to the threat at the shopping center in the 3300 block of Brunswick Pike (Route 1) just after 4:45 p.m.

Sgt. Tim Drew said the threat was phoned in to Bed Bath & Beyond and employees there immediately notified police.

Employees and customers of the bedding store and the three adjacent businesses were quickly evacuated and the area of the parking lot in front of the businesses cordoned off with police tape.

With a township ambulance crew and firefighters from Lawrenceville Volunteer Fire Co. standing by nearby, Lawrence Township police and canine units from Ewing Township police, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office and the New Jersey State Police searched the stores.

Drew said nothing was found and the businesses were allowed to reopen just after 6:20 p.m.  

He said Officer Kelly Longo and Detective Rob Potter are working to identify who called in the false threat. Anyone with information that could aid their investigation is asked to call police at (609) 896-1111.