Bitcoin Bomb Threat Emails Reported In Petaluma, Santa Rosa

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Police in both Petaluma and Santa Rosa responded to calls from multiple schools and businesses Thursday who reported receiving emails stating there was a bomb in their building that would detonate at the end of the day if a payment made via Bitcoin was not received.

After Petaluma police responded to one such report at 11 a.m. at a business in the 100 block of Keller Street, investigators determined the email threat was a hoax and appeared to be among similar ones surfacing nationwide.

"At this time, there is no credible evidence related to the email," Petaluma police said. "This email threat does not appear to be specific to Petaluma."

Santa Rosa police also investigated a Bitcoin bomb threat made via email, then issued a similar statement saying there was "no credible evidence" the threat was real.

"We have received calls from multiple schools and businesses that have received this email," Santa Rosa police said. "This threat appears to be circulating nationwide and is not specific to Santa Rosa."

Both agencies recommended that anyone who receives such an email should not click on the link. Instead, they should follow their organization's procedures for suspicious packages and/or threats.

"In the event that any suspicious packages or devices are located do not touch them and immediately report their discovery to your local law enforcement agency," Petaluma police said.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Photo via Shutterstock