Portage, MI – A bomb threat call prompted the evacuation of Crossroads Mall on Sunday evening in what police believe was a “swatting” attempt.
According to the Portage Department of Public Safety, officers responded to the mall at 6650 S Westnedge Ave. around 6:45 p.m. after receiving reports of a possible explosive device. As a precaution, authorities evacuated the building while waiting for a K-9 unit to conduct a search.
Once the Western Michigan University Police Department K-9 unit arrived, officers swept the mall but found no suspicious items. Authorities determined the threat was likely a false alarm intended to provoke a large emergency response.
There are no ongoing threats to the public, police confirmed. The incident remains under investigation.
