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Police Monitoring Threats To Local Stores

Local police and the FBI were monitoring a post being shared on social media that alluded to threats involving grocery stores on the one-month anniversary of a deadly mass shooting in Buffalo.

Locally, the purported threats mention Tops Markets on Foote Avenue in Jamestown and Walmart on Fairmount Avenue in Lakewood.

In a statement released Friday, the Jamestown Police Department said it was aware of the Facebook post along with the Lakewood-Busti Police Department.

“The threats are being investigated by various law enforcement entities including the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” Jamestown police said. “At this time, the FBI does not believe that there are any credible threats to the establishments.”

Though specifics on what the post contained weren’t released, it apparently did note Tuesday, June 14, a date that marks one month after 10 people were killed at a Tops Markets in Buffalo.

“We are aware of the info that is being circulated on social media,” said Jamestown Police Capt. Robert Samuelson. “We are monitoring it very closely and are working with our federal law enforcement partners on this.”

He did note: “We, however, do not have anything that leads us to believe that this info is credible or is based on anything other than social media hearsay.”

Due to the Buffalo incident, followed by a mass shooting 10 days later at an elementary school in Texas that left 19 students and two teachers dead, there has been heightened awareness across the country of public gatherings.

Jarrett Reed, an investigator with Lakewood-Busti police, said the department plans to meet early next week with other agencies to go over any new information that may come to light over the weekend on the alleged threats. He said extra officers will be present at Walmart as a precaution, and the same will be done at both Tops Markets locations in Jamestown, Samuelson said.

In its statement Friday, JPD said, “We will continue to monitor these situations and request that anyone with information on who may be responsible for the threats to contact us or their local law enforcement agency. As always, if you see something, say something.”

Information can be left at the JPD tip line at 716-483-TIPS (8477).

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