The man tried to frame another person, according to Hernando sheriff’s deputies.

HERNANDO COUNTY – A Spring Hill man has been accused of calling a Winn Dixie grocery with a false bomb threat, according to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.

Randy Keith Hughes, 50, of 15284 Spinning Wheel Lane in Spring Hill, was charged with making a false bomb report, unlawful use of a two-way communication device and identity theft, deputies said.

The bomb threat was made about 9 p.m. April 14. Deputies said a clerk at the Winn Dixie grocery store, 2240 Commercial Way in Spring Hill, answered a call from a man. He asked the clerk to confirm which Winn Dixie he had called, then said, “There is a bomb in the store, and it is going to explode.” Nothing else was said during the conversation. The clerk hung up and immediately notified the store manager then called 911.

Law enforcement officers and fire/rescue personnel evacuated the Winn Dixie store and one adjacent business. Two teams of law enforcement officers entered the Winn Dixie store to search for a bomb. But, after an extensive search, no bomb was found.

Hernando sheriff’s detective Chris Vascellaro  was assigned to investigate. Deputies said the investigation was extremely complicated and laborious from the start, as there are only two incoming telephone lines to the Winn Dixie store, neither of which is equipped with caller ID. Throughout the course of the four-month long investigation, Vascellaro issued seven subpoenas and two search
warrants to gain evidence in this case. Within just the past few weeks, Hughes was identified as a suspect and arrested.

Deputies said Hughes used a telephone number spoofing service to “spoof” the telephone number of a third party, whom he reportedly “had problems with” in the past. Hughes wanted it to appear that the bomb threat came from that woman’s number so she would eventually be charged with the crime. Evidence indicated she did not make the call.

For information about the Hernando County sheriff, go to hernandosheriff.org.

Hernando Sheriff | Bomb Threat | Winn Dixie | Spring Hill | Arrests | TB Reporter

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