Lake Worth police say man left bags of potentially explosive material at two sites, made threats

Law enforcement officials are working to determine why a man allegedly placed bags containing pressure cookers at two sites in Lake Worth, causing hours-long traffic disruptions as investigators shut down a nearby highway for safety.

According to Lake Worth Police Chief J.T. Manoushagian, police responded to the Walmart in Lake Worth at 9:40 on Thursday morning after a man with prior felony convictions made alarming statements to his probation or parole officer who contacted police.

Manoushagian said police evacuated the Walmart to make sure there was no danger while pinging the man’s phone to obtain his location.

“As they did that, we were able to determine that the suspect was moving away from the Walmart,” said Manoushagian.

Officers were given photographs of two backpacks the man was carrying, according to Manoushagian.

Read more: NBC Dallas-Ft. Worth