Suspicious Suitcase Triggers Bomb Scare at Waldbaum's Shopping Center

A suitcase found in the middle of the Waldbaum's parking lot on Merrick Road triggered a bomb scare this afternoon.

"It's the exact same thing as yesterday," said an officer on the scene, referring to a suitcase found in a King Kullen parking lot in Bellmore yesterday that had wires sticking out of it.

A bomb squad was on scene for more than two hours after a passer-by found the brownish-green suitcase around 4:30 p.m.

The shopping center was re-opened at 7 p.m. after it was determined that the suitcase was not dangerous.   As people filtered back into Waldbaum's, the suitcase remained roped off in the middle of the parking lot. 

The exact contents of the suitcase have not been revealed by police, but an empty bag of charcoal and the cardboard wrapping of a case of Poland Spring water sat next to the suitcase this evening. 

Most of the businesses in the shopping center remained closed after the police determined the area was safe.

"I'm pretty much done for the night," said Mike Themistoclous, the manager of Tomato and Basil Pizzeria, adding that he had sent his employees home.  "I'm not going to call them back in for a couple hours."

At Waldbaum's, employees remained in the store during the incident, but customers were shut out for more than two hours, manager Paul Longarello said. 

"It definitely affects business," he said.

One employee, whose shift was supposed to begin at 6 p.m. waited on the curb on Merrick Road as he waited to be granted access to the store. 

Longarello said the suitcase remained planted in the middle of the parking lot through the entire investigation.

The Nassau County Police Department has issued an alert for its officers to be on the lookout for suspicious activity at supermarkets.

While the police have been mum on the details surrounding the bomb scares, the alert advised that the incidents may be related to a union strike.