20080402 Westminster (Maryland) Police Department and Maryland State Police investigating a series of threatening letters received by department store

Westminster (Maryland) Police Department and Maryland State Police investigating a series of threatening letters received by department stores located in Carroll County

NEWS RELEASE

April 2, 2008

The Westminster Police Department, the Maryland State Police, the U.S. Postal Service and other allied law enforcement agencies are currently investigating a series of threatening letters received by department stores located in Carroll County on March 31, 2008. The letters were received at Boscov’s, Wal-Mart and Target stores in Westminster, as well as the Wal-Mart stores in Eldersburg and Hampstead.

Each letter contained similar threats and all appear to have been authored by the same individual(s), although that remains under investigation. The letters threaten a shooting incident at the establishments.

Investigation later determined that a similar letter was received at a Target Store in Germantown (Montgomery County). This case is being investigated by the Montgomery County Police Department. The United States Postal Inspection Service is collaborating on each of the investigations.

Anyone with information relating to these investigations should contact the Westminster Police Department at (410) 848-4646 or the United States Postal Inspection Service at (877) 876-2455, or the Maryland State Police at 410-386-3000. They may also call anonymously by using the confidential “Tips Line” at (410) 857-TIPS.

Media Contact: Major Ron Stevens

Westminster Police Department

(410) 848-4646

Sgt. Arthur Betts

MD State Police – 410-653-4236

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