Threats, suspicious packages prompt Walmart evacuation, Loop 820 shutdown in Lake Worth

A man who authorities say made alarming statements and had suspicious bags believed to have contained explosives was taken into custody Thursday in Lake Worth, police chief J.T. Manoushagian said.

The threats prompted authorities to shut down Loop 820 for about two hours, as well as other major roads in the area.

Around 9:45 a.m., Lake Worth officers responded to a call the Walmart at 6360 Lake Worth Blvd. The suspect’s parole officer told police that he may have entered the store armed with bombs, explosives and possibly other weapons, Manoushagian said.

The suspect told the parole officer, “I’ve had this planned since 2007, I have things stashed everywhere,” and “I’ve been here for over 24 hours,” according to police. The suspect also told the officer, “When I say planned, I mean everything, even going to prison for bank robbery.”

Authorities also received a photo of two bags at the store that reportedly contained explosives.

Officers immediately evacuated the store while sweeping the building to ensure there was no threat, according to police.

Officers were working to ping the suspect’s phone and a pursuit ensued. While tracking the suspect, authorities were led down Azle Avenue and Loop 820 and discovered one of the suspicious bags — originally reported at Walmart — at Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers off a service road, said Manoushagian.

Authorities set a perimeter and called in the bomb squad.

The Fort Worth Fire Department and Explosive Ordinance Team determined the device outside Ritchie Brothers was safe.

The suspect was taken into custody without incident by Fort Worth officers in a neighborhood near Huffines Boulevard and Marine Creek Elementary School. He was transported to the police department where he was being interviewed by detectives, according to Manoushagian.

The second bag was located in the 3900 block of Boat Club Road, in the area of an Albertsons grocery store, a Best Western hotel and some business offices. Both bags contained some explosive contents, including cooking containers and items used for camping and outdoor activities, said Manoushagian.

The second bag was also deemed safe. There were no guns or complete weapons found in the bags, police said.

No one was injured.

“All things considered, this incident was handled nearly perfectly,” Manoushagian told reporters at a news conference. “The coordination and partnership we had with our partners, fire department, police, working hand in hand — it was absolutely seamless.”

The suspect’s name and charges will be released after interviews with detectives. Lake Worth police confirmed the suspect had a significant criminal history including felony convictions, and suffers from mental health issues.

Police did not specify a motive for the threats.

The investigation led to lane closures on Loop 820 and Boat Club Road.

Fort Worth police and fire departments, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, and Homeland Security assisted in the investigation.