South Lake Tahoe bomb scare result of national hoax

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Businesses and institutions across the country received emailed bomb threats Thursday, each demanding payment of bitcoin or risk the use of an explosive device at their location. Many of these emailed threats prompted evacuations and response by multiple bomb squads including South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County.

On December 13 South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to a veterinary office on Emerald Bay Road after getting a call about a suspicious package left at the office just as they received one of the threatening emails. The building was evacuated.

The City's bomb squad arrived and x-rayed a small package that had been left at the door of Blue Lake Animal Care Center located at 1154 Emerald Bay Road. It turned out to be supplies that had been ordered and delivered by UPS, but with the arrival of the email law enforcement was notified according to SLTPD Lt. David Stephenson.

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office also responded to emailed threats in the county including some in Placerville.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation in cooperation with CalOES Law Branch notified law enforcement that these were all part of a nationwide email hoax.

If you received one of these emails threatening an explosive device and requesting “bitcoin” payment, please report it to the Sheriff’s Office.