West Orange Bomb Threats May Be Part Of National Hoaxes: Police

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A fertility clinic, local temple and an apartment building in West Orange received bomb threats, possibly as part of an apparent series of hoaxes seen across the nation on Thursday, authorities said.

The Reproductive Medicine Center at 475 Prospect Avenue got an email at 12:56 p.m. on Dec. 13 that indicated there was an explosive device in the building, a West Orange municipal spokesperson told Patch.

West Orange police and fire units responded to the building and evacuated its occupants. A bomb squad from the Essex County Sheriff’s Office soon arrived at the scene and cleared the building. No explosive device was found, and workers were soon permitted to reenter the premises, authorities said.

A second threat was reported just after 4:30 p.m. at 425 Northfield Avenue, a local apartment building, officials said. Authorities evacuated and searched the building. No additional information was immediately available.

On Friday, West Orange officials announced that a third bomb threat was made on Thursday.

"Just after 9:30 a.m. on Friday, West Orange police received a call from 300 Pleasant Valley Way (B’nai Shalom Temple) stating that it received an email, which was sent yesterday, Dec. 13, in regards to a bomb at the temple. The email stated that there was a bomb in the building and that if they didn’t send Bitcoins, or call the police, the bomb would go off. WOPD responded. Essex County Bomb Squad was advised and responded. The bomb squad deemed the building safe."

West Orange officials released the following statement in the wake of the incidents:

“Police say there is a widespread national email bomb threat campaign targeting businesses, educational facilities, and organizations, including locations in New Jersey and other states around the country. These emails request Bitcoin payments from the recipients and threaten to detonate a bomb at the location if payment is not received. To date, there has been no information to support the credibility of this threat, nor any confirmed devices at any locations.”

• See related article: Evacuation At Ocean County College As National Bomb Hoax Goes On

Bomb threats were also made across the country Thursday, including in several cities and at universities. In Connecticut, several schools and businesses were targeted.

In Massachusetts, state police were responding to a series of bomb threats that were sent by email to businesses.

Keep updated with local public safety alerts at the Patch West Orange Facebook page. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

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