About 5:10 p.m., an employee of the store at 970 Torringford St. called Litchfield County Dispatch and said the store had received a call from a man who said there were several bombs in and around the store, Lt. Bruce Whiteley said. The bombs would be detonated if the store didn’t give the caller cash, the employee told police.
Police negotiators were able to speak to the caller while all stores in the shopping plaza were evacuated, Whiteley said.
The Wal-Mart store, surrounding parking lots, and cars parked in the lot were searched, but nothing dangerous was found, he said. Store managers were told about 8 p.m. that it may re-open.
Detectives continue to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to call Torrington police at 860-489-2090 or the 24-hour Anonymous Tip Line at 860-489-2065.