THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 17, 1994 TAG: 9407170086
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
A device of undisclosed explosive potential was discovered late Saturday night in a common area at Lynnhaven Mall, police said.
It was the third time this year that an explosive device had been found in a Hampton Roads mall.
It was located about 11 p.m. by State Police and local police. The device was ``rendered safe,'' police said.
``It had the potential to hurt people,'' said Chase Sargent, a fire department spokesman. ``We're not describing the device, not describing where it was found and we're not describing how we rendered it safe.''
Between 2,500 and 3,000 shoppers and employees were evacuated after two telephoned bomb threats.
The first call came about 7 p.m. A second call followed shortly thereafter. ``We're not sure if there are tapes of the calls,'' Sargent said. It also was unclear what motive, if any, was offered.
On March 23 a small device was found in the food court at Coliseum Mall in Hampton. On June 17, another bomb was found in a planter in the mall's common area.
Sargent said there was no apparent link, however, between those incidents and Saturday's.
Lynnhaven Mall will be open on a normal schedule today.
KEYWORDS: EXPLOSIVES by CNB