On Monday, June 9, at 6:36 p.m., the Barrington Police Department received a call of a bomb threat that was phoned into the manager of the Rite Aid Pharmacy on County Road in Barrington.
According to police, the male suspect had a heavy Middle Eastern accent, and he told the store manager that there was a bomb on the roof and that “he needed the card codes in two minutes or people were going to die.” The suspect reportedly requested 10 pre-paid credit cards, each with $500 cash on them.
The manager reportedly told police she believed the call was possibly a scam.
Police cleared the store of all personnel and shoppers. RI State Police and RI Bomb Squad responded to the scene. K9 scans were conducted of both the interior and exterior of the building; the K9 units reportedly did not detect anything on any items or locations during the course of the search.
The scene was cleared and the perimeter was released, and surrounding businesses were notified.
Barrington Police Det. Ben Ferreira responded to the station to conduct a follow-up request for phone records to obtain a phone number for the incoming call.
The phone number used is serviced by YMAX Communications Corporation, doing business as Magic Jack. Magic Jack is an internet based phone service. A check of area code 214 shows that the call came from the Dallas, Texas area.
The investigation is still continuing.