READING, MA — Police and fire officials responded to a bomb threat at a supermarket Monday afternoon that was later determined not to be credible.
The Reading Police Department was notified at approximately 1:45 p.m. that Stop & Shop at 25 Walkers Brook Drive received a threatening telephone call claiming there was a bomb in the building.
Reading Police and Reading Fire responded immediately and helped evacuate the store out of an abundance of caution.
Police and fire officials established a safe perimeter around the building.
Reading Police contacted the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad for assistance.
At approximately 3:15 p.m., Reading Police and the Bomb Squad completed a thorough search of the building and ensured there was not a bomb inside.
Police have cleared the scene but continue to investigate the origin of the threatening call.
Police and fire officials have learned that similar threats were called into stores in the Boston area.
Authorities are investigating possible connections between the calls.
