On 02-01-21 at 8:48 AM, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office received a call from Walmart, located at 1546 Marion-Mt. Gilead Rd. about a suspicious device reported to them by a customer at the store.
The customer had found some wires coming out of a toilet paper dispenser located in the men’s bathroom. Deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Matt Bayles responded to Walmart. After looking at the device, it was decided to contact the Columbus Fire bomb squad to respond to the scene to further investigate. Walmart management decided to evacuate the store for everyone’s safety.
Columbus Fire arrived and investigated the suspicious device and was able to remove it without incident. Investigators noted that it looked as if someone had fashioned the item to look like an explosive device, but it was ultimately deemed harmless.
“I would like to thank Columbus Fire for their speedy response and lending their assistance in this matter” Stated Sheriff Bayles. “I would also like to thank the Marion Police Department for helping us with calls during the incident, as well as the management of Walmart for their excellent cooperation.”
This case remains under investigation.