False bomb threat made at West Ames Hy-Vee

The West Ames Hy-Vee was evacuated Monday evening after receiving a call for a false bomb threat from an unknown caller. Ames Police said there is no ongoing threat.

Ames Police received a call at 7:11 p.m. from Hy-Vee management, where they acted on the police department’s recommendation to evacuate the store, according to Sgt. Amber Christian, Ames Police public information officer. Evacuation started around 7:24 and Christian said the all-clear was given at 7:57.

“The call came into the West Hy-Vee manager saying that he had hidden a pipe bomb inside the store so the manager called [Ames Police] to report it to us,” Christian said.

Similar calls were also made to Hy-Vee stores in Johnston and Perry, which were also false.