Man threatened to ‘blow up’ store in Hunterdon County, NJ, authorities seize hoax explosive device at home, prosecutor’s office says

Authorities in Hunterdon County, New Jersey say a hoax explosive device and multiple firearms were seized from a man’s home after he threatened to “blow up” a store.

Peter W. Randolph, 45, of East Amwell, is charged with false public alarms and terroristic threats, according to a news release from the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office.

On Tuesday, a Lowe’s employee notified Raritan Township Police that the Lowe’s corporate call center reported receiving a threatening phone call from Randolph, the prosecutor’s office said.

Investigators learned that Randolph had previously purchased a lawn mower from the Raritan Township Lowe’s store with which he was dissatisfied and Lowe’s tried to remediate, according to the news release.

According to Lowe’s, Randolph threatened to “blow up” the store using accessible chemicals and to “shoot everyone” inside, the prosecutor’s office said.

Read more: WFMZ