East Amwell Man Charged With Threatening To Blow Up Store, Shoot Everyone Inside

EAST AMWELL, N.J. — A 45-year-old East Amwell, New Jersey, man has been arrested and charged in connection with a threat he made to shoot employees and blow up a store in Raritan Township.

Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renee M. Robeson and the Raritan Township Police Department on Friday announced the arrest of Peter W. Randolph, charging him with one count of second-degree false public alarms and one count of third-degree terroristic threats.

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On May 12, Raritan Township Police were notified by a Lowe’s employee that its corporate call center had received a threatening phone call from Randolph.

Investigators learned that Randolph had previously purchased a lawn mower from the Raritan Township Lowe’s store, with which he was dissatisfied, and Lowe’s attempted to remediate.

According to Lowe’s, Randolph threatened to “blow up” the store using accessible chemicals and to “shoot everyone” inside.

The New Jersey State Police responded to Randolph’s home, where he was located and taken into custody without incident.

Simultaneously, Raritan Township Police conducted a comprehensive sweep of the Lowe’s building and the surrounding parking area. No explosives, hazardous materials, or other threats were discovered.

Subsequently, a search warrant for Randolph's residence was granted by the Superior Court. A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of multiple firearms and a hoax explosive device.

Randolph is being held at the Warren County Jail pending a detention motion scheduled for May 21.

Second-degree charges may result in criminal penalties, including, but not limited to, a term of imprisonment between five and ten years and a fine not to exceed $150,000. Third-degree charges may result in criminal penalties, including, but not limited to, a term of imprisonment between three and five years and a fine not to exceed $15,000.

The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Raritan Township Police Department at (908) 782-8889. Information can also be provided through the Hunterdon County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-800-321-0010. All anonymous reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.