Gurnee Walmart Bomb Threat Deemed False After Police, Fire Department Response

A telephone bomb threat targeting the Walmart Supercenter at 6590 Grand Avenue in Gurnee sent police, firefighters, and a military bomb-detection canine to the store Monday morning before investigators determined the call was a hoax.

A dispatcher received the call around 11:30 a.m., in which the caller claimed an explosive device had been placed inside a dumpster behind the building, then hung up. Gurnee Police Department and Gurnee Fire Department were on scene around 11:40 a.m. Gurnee firefighter/paramedics took up standby positions in the parking lot while officers worked with the Great Lakes Naval Station Bomb Detection Dog Team to sweep the area.

"The threat was received by a dispatcher via telephone and indicated that an explosive device had been placed inside a dumpster behind a building at the location," Gurnee Police Department Public Information Officer Shawn Gaylor said. "The caller disconnected shortly after providing the information."

As the investigation proceeded, police temporarily restricted several exterior areas surrounding the location. Neither the Walmart nor the adjacent Sam's Club on the 6500 block of Grand Avenue was evacuated. No explosive device was found, and the threat was deemed unfounded.

"As a precaution, several exterior areas surrounding the location were temporarily restricted while first responders conducted their investigation," Gaylor said. "Threats of this nature are taken very seriously and can result in significant criminal charges."

A Walmart spokesperson confirmed the store remained open and fully operational, but said the company could not release further details given the active police investigation.

The Gurnee Police Department is continuing to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to call 847-599-7000.