Empty Case Causes Bomb Scare In Rogers

Cpl. Kerry Pippin with the Bentonville Bomb Squad removes a suspicious suitcase at the Murphy's USA gas station Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014, located near Walmart on Walnut Street in Rogers. Police say after determining the case was safe, it was opened and found to be empty.

Cpl. Kerry Pippin with the Bentonville Bomb Squad removes a suspicious suitcase at the Murphy's USA gas station Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014, located near Walmart on Walnut Street in Rogers. Police say after determining the case was safe, it was opened and found to be empty.

Friday, January 17, 2014

A small case left between gasoline pumps at a busy gasoline station Thursday evening caused a bomb scare.

Police were notified of a possible bomb about 4:45 p.m. Thursday at Murphy USA, located near Walmart at 2112 W. Walnut, said Keith Foster, Rogers Police Department spokesman. Traffic was heavy along Walnut Street and parking areas as people shopped after work.

A shopper pumping gasoline noticed the plastic case and notified the station attendant, who called police. The Bentonville Bomb Squad was then called, Foster said.

Rogers police blocked off the station’s parking lot to keep people safe. The Rogers Fire Department blocked the Walnut Street entrance to Walmart. The Rogers Fire Department was on scene in case there was an explosion or a hazardous chemical leak, Fire Chief Tom Jenkins said in a message Thursday.

By 6 p.m., the bomb squad had determined the case was empty and not a threat, officials said.

Foster and Jenkins said the response among emergency agencies shows how well they work together.

“Even though it ended up being an empty case, it shows how the local law enforcement work well with each other,” Foster said. “We work as a team.”