Bomb threat at theater investigated
TIFTON, Aug 18, 2012 (Menafn - The Tifton Gazette - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --A bomb threat was reported Friday morning to the Carmike Cinemas corporate office, says Sgt. David Gay at the Tifton Police Department.
He stated in an e-mail that at approximately 10:06 a.m., Tift County E-911 received a call from Carmike Cinemas corporate office in reference to a bomb threat.
He said the complainant advised that Carmike received an anonymous bomb threat. The caller stated that a bomb or bombs had been placed in one of their theaters. The caller did not say which theater it was placed in.
Gay said a check of the local movie theater by the TPD turned up no signs of any suspicious activity and no bombs were located.
He noted, "A special patrol has been placed on the Tifton Carmike Cinemas to ensure the safety of our citizens."
When asked about any employees or customers being at the theater during the time of the call, he said there were none and that they were met by a member of management.
According to the Associated Press, a spokesman for the Carmike Cinemas chain stated that movie theaters in several states were combed for explosives Friday after the bomb threat was made to the corporate headquarters.
They reported that according to company spokesman Terrell Mayton, Carmike officials alerted the FBI after discovering the threat in a voicemail message Friday morning. He said the call was placed after hours Thursday by someone claiming to work for a contractor that provides janitorial services to Carmike.
While Mayton wouldn't discuss specifics of the call, says the AP, Columbus police said the person referenced the Sylvester Stallone movie, "The Expendables 2," that opened Friday.
They reported that Columbus police Lt. Bill Rawn told the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer that the caller sounded like a disgruntled worker.
According to the AP, "Mayton said the caller outlined 'some specifics to a bomb threat at certain locations,' but that he did not know how many theaters were mentioned or in how many states."
They noted that Carmike owns 233 theaters in 35 states, and that media outlets Friday reported police searching theaters in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky and North Carolina.
No bombs were found, reported the AP. Mayton said most theaters were cleared to open before their first show times Friday.
To contact reporter Latasha Everson, call 382-4321.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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