Police say man threatened to shoot everyone inside store before firearms and hoax explosive device were found at home
RARITAN TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A New Jersey man is accused of threatening to blow up a Lowe’s store and shoot employees and customers after becoming angry over a lawn mower purchase, according to prosecutors.
Hunterdon County prosecutors said Peter W. Randolph, 45, of East Amwell, was arrested after allegedly making threats against the Lowe’s store in Raritan Township.
Authorities said Lowe’s employees contacted police May 12 after the company’s corporate call center received a threatening phone call allegedly tied to Randolph.
Investigators said Randolph had previously purchased a lawn mower from the Raritan Township Lowe’s location and was dissatisfied with the product despite the store attempting to resolve the issue.
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According to prosecutors, Randolph allegedly threatened to “blow up” the store using chemicals and said he would “shoot everyone” inside.
New Jersey State Police responded to Randolph’s residence, where he was taken into custody without incident.
At the same time, Raritan Township police officers conducted a sweep of the Lowe’s building and surrounding parking lot.
Authorities said no explosives or hazardous materials were located at the store.
Investigators later obtained a court-authorized search warrant for Randolph’s residence.
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During the search, police seized multiple firearms and a hoax explosive device, according to prosecutors.
Randolph was charged with second-degree false public alarms and third-degree terroristic threats.
He is being held at the Warren County Jail pending a detention hearing scheduled for May 21.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Key Points
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- A New Jersey man was arrested after allegedly threatening to blow up and shoot people inside a Lowe’s store
- Investigators said the threats stemmed from a dispute involving a lawn mower purchase
- Police later seized firearms and a hoax explosive device from the suspect’s home
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