KEENE, NH – The Keene Police Department says a reported bomb threat at Target in Keene was a hoax.

According to a news release, around 8:40 Tuesday morning Keene police received a call from Target on Ash Brook Road reporting that an unidentified male had called the store from an unknown number and claimed he had placed a bomb somewhere inside the store.

Management elected to evacuate the store as police were alerted of the threat. Once on scene Keene Police officers, assisted by a New Hampshire State Police K-9 Unit, conducted a thorough investigation and found nothing suspicious.

Police were able to determine, with the help of other agencies across the state and management at Target, that the call was a hoax and the lives of employees and shoppers were never in danger, and there is no threat to the public.

Similar threats were reported at Walmart stores across the state and at school’s in Vermont three weeks ago.

Anyone with further information regarding the incident at Target should call the Keene Police Department at 603-357-9820, ask to speak to Sgt Luke Antin.