The Peoria Police Department has determined that a suspicious device found inside a Walmart on 79th Avenue and Peoria Avenue was a hoax device.
The Glendale Police Department's Bomb Squad assisted in the investigation.
Device at Walmart determined to be hoax device by @PeoriaAzPS & @GlendaleAZPD, no danger, checking rest of store now pic.twitter.com/BvtRuQCzXX
— Peoria Police (AZ) (@PeoriaAzPS) March 18, 2017
.@PeoriaAzPS on scene of suspicious device in Walmart 79/Peoria, has not been deemed safe, avoid area. pic.twitter.com/rbJpSNzuNz
— Peoria Police (AZ) (@PeoriaAzPS) March 18, 2017
Confirmed suspicious device found inside Walmart, media staging main entrance off of Peoria Ave, PIO on scene.
— Peoria Police (AZ) (@PeoriaAzPS) March 18, 2017
Peoria police received reports around 10:30 a.m. Saturday after an employee discovered the suspicious item in a stock room. The employee described the device as having several wires coming out of it with a flashing light.
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Authorities advised employees and customers to evacuate the store.
A robot and technician investigated the device which was later determined to be a hoax and did not pose as a real danger. It was removed from the store, officials said.
The Glendale Police Department's K9 unit checked the store and found nothing else suspicious.
Peoria police are continuing to investigate the incident and combing through surveillance footage. There aren't any suspects in custody at this time.
The store is now deemed safe, however, anyone with information regarding the device is urged to call the Peoria Police Department.
