Roanoke County police have arrested an Illinois man in connection with Sunday’s bomb threat at Tanglewood Mall. The mall was evacuated for about five hours late Sunday afternoon while authorities searched and determined that there was no bomb. Police have charged 18-year-old Richard Clay of Rockford, Illinois with two felony counts of “communicating a threat to bomb.” He’s being held in the Roanoke County jail without bond.
NEWS RELEASE FROM ROANOKE COUNTY POLICE
On Sunday July 19, 2015 the Roanoke County Emergency Communications Center received a call from staff at Tanglewood Mall advising that a bomb threat had been called into their facility. Tanglewood Mall followed their protocols and decided to evacuate the mall. Resources from the Roanoke Valley responded and no bombs or explosive devices were located. An investigation into who called the threat in lead to Richard Clay, 18 years of age from Rockford, Illinois. Mr. Clay was arrested and charged with two felony counts of: Communicating a Threat to Bomb. Mr. Clay is currently being held at the Roanoke County Jail without bond. The Roanoke County Police would like to thank the ATF, Virginia State Police, Roanoke City Police, and the Bedford County Sheriff’s Dept. Anyone with information should call the Criminal Investigations Division of the Roanoke County Police at 540 777-8641, the Emergency Communication Center at 540 562 3265 or the Roanoke Valley Crime Line at 540 344 8500.
