Bomb Threat Clears IHOP, Wawa In Toms River: Police

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A bomb threat prompted the evacuations of the IHOP and Wawa on Route 37 in Toms River on Sunday afternoon, but police found no evidence of a bomb following an investigation.

A blown transformer earlier in the day had knocked out power to the area, including the Wawa at 179 Route 37 east and the IHOP across the street at 176 Route 37 east, said Jillian Messina, Toms River Police media specialist.

About 12:20 p.m. a male called the Wawa and told an employee that a bomb would go off at the IHOP once the lights came back on, she said. Multiple police responded and evacuated both businesses, and authorities then searched the area around both.

Toms River Police Officer Josh Kulhwein and his K9 partner Zuul cleared IHOP and Ocean County Sheriff Officer Warren and her K9 partner Finn cleared Wawa. Both were reopened for business, and power has since been restored, she said.

The investigation into the threat is continuing.

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