Bomb Threat At New Berlin Target Part Of 'Nationwide Hoax': Police

NEW BERLIN, WI — A Target in New Berlin was evacuated Tuesday morning due to a bomb threat, which was determined to be fake and part of a nationwide hoax, according to WISN and New Berlin police.

Authorities received the report of the threat at 9:48 a.m. at the store in the 4700 block of South Moorland Road, police said. The retailer was evacuated around 10:30 a.m., according to WISN.

Law enforcement on social media asked shoppers to avoid the store for an hour, citing "a police matter." Around noon, police posted an update that the initial probe had concluded and the store was safe for customers.

New Berlin police requested the assistance of the Milwaukee Police Department Bomb Squad, which determined the scene was safe, authorities said.

Target told police the bomb threat came through a generic email and that similar instances have been happening to Target stores across the country, according to authorities.

"The investigation will continue but it is believed to be a nationwide hoax at this time," police said on social media.

Target stores across the U.S. have been victims of hoax bomb threats both in recent months and on Tuesday, according to numerous media reports, with news outlets reporting threats Tuesday in Ohio, New Jersey and North Carolina.