Police Lights (Photo: Jason Rojas/Flickr)
Police cleared two popular businesses in Toms River on Sunday after bomb threats were called in, officials said.
Police spokeswoman Jillian Messina said at approximately 12:22 p.m., multiple police units were dispatched to the IHOP located at 176 Route 37 West and the Wawa located at 179 Route 37 East in response to a bomb threat.
An unknown male called Wawa and stated that “once the lights turn back on at IHOP the bomb will go off,” said Messina. A blown transformer was causing a power outage at the time.
Both businesses were evacuated and perimeters were set up around their parking lots. Toms River Police Officer Josh Kulhwein and his K9 partner Zuul cleared IHOP and Ocean County Sheriff’s Officer Warren and her K9 partner Finn cleared Wawa. Both were re-opened for business.
Power has since been restored, Messina said.
