MARTINSVILLE, Va. – UPDATE (5/20/21)
Two men were charged and arrested in connection to a bomb threat directed at Martinsville’s Walmart on Sunday, according to the Henry County Sheriff’s Office.
At about 2:34 p.m., a bomb threat was called into the Walmart located at 976 Commonwealth Blvd.
After investigating the incident, deputies found that about ten minutes before the threat Keegan Blaise Ashbrook, who had been with Ricky Lee Stout prior, was detained for shoplifting.
Authorities said they later found evidence indicating that Stout called in the bomb threat and said it might have been an attempt to help Ashbrook evade arrest.
On Sunday, 18-year-old Ashbrook, of Roanoke, was arrested on a misdemeanor charge for shoplifting and possessing a concealed weapon and has been released on a $1500 secured bond.
On Tuesday, 36-year-old Stout, of Rocky Mount, was arrested on a felony charge for threatening to bomb a building and is currently being held in the Franklin County Jail on a $3500 secured bond.
Anyone having information pertaining to this incident is asked to contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at 276-638-8751 or the Crimestoppers Program at 63-CRIME 632-7463.
The Crimestoppers Program offers rewards of up to $2,500 for information related to crime. The nature of the crime and the substance of the information determine the amount of reward paid.
ORIGINAL STORY
Police are investigating a bomb threat at Martinsville’s Walmart.
Sheriff Lane Perry said a bomb threat was directed towards the store located on Commonwealth Boulevard.
19-year-old Keegan Ashbrook has been taken into custody on one count of shoplifting and one count of concealing a weapon.
The Henry County Sheriff’s office is also searching for a person of interest by the name of James Car III.
Deputies do not know if the shoplifting and bomb threat are connected.
People are being advised to avoid the area.
Stay with 10 News for updates.