Bomb threat closes Route 58 shopping center

Updates –

1:55 p.m.: Riverhead Police said in a press release this afternoon that someone called the Home Depot store on Route 58 this morning with a bomb threat, though no specifics were given. Home Depot management evacuated the store as a precaution, police said. Riverhead Police Department detectives responded to investigate. The Suffolk County Police Department’s Emergency Services Unit and K-9 responded to the scene ad searched the building but found no sign of suspicious activity or any bomb-making materials, according to police.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information related to this incident are asked to call the Riverhead Police Department at 631-727-4500. 

All calls will be kept confidential, police said.

10:45 a.m.: Home Depot has been cleared by police for re-occupancy. The threat was determined to be unfounded.

9:55 a.m.: A Suffolk County Police Department Emergency Service command post vehicle has arrived at the scene.

9:40 a.m.: Buildings other than Home Depot have been cleared for re-occupancy.

Original story: Police have blocked all entrances to Riverhead Centre on Route 58 following a bomb threat this morning, Riverhead Police Chief David Hegermiller said.

Buildings inside the sprawling shopping center have been evacuated, according to police at the scene. The Suffolk County Police Department bomb squad has been notified, Hegermiller said.

The threat was received at around 8 a.m., the chief said.

No additional information was immediately available.

Riverhead Centre is home to several major retail stores, including Home Depot, Best Buy, ShopRite, Barnes & Noble, DSW, as well as two free-standing restaurants and two banks.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.