He told employees at a Tampa Walmart that he had a bomb in his bag. He did not, deputies say.

TAMPA – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man who claimed to have a bomb inside his bag at a Walmart in Tampa.

Marcus Dynell Woodard, 48, of Tampa, was charged with one count of making a False Report of a Bomb, Explosive or Weapon of Mass Destruction.

Just before 5 p.m. Wednesday (Jan. 15), deputies said Woodard entered the Walmart at 15302 N Nebraska Ave. and dropped a black and gray colored backpack just beyond the doors. Walmart employees noticed the bag and asked Woodard what was inside it. He said, “A bomb,” then walked away from the bag before turning back and saying, “it’s just a bag.”

Woodard then walked through the store to shop. He never stated that the bag was not a bomb, and all three witnesses to the incident told deputies they were in immediate fear for their safety.

The bag was secured outside the store and after an interview with the suspect, deputies searched the bag. Nothing suspicious was inside the bag.

“People should not have to question their safety while shopping or working in a retail store. Marcus Woodard’s statement was especially concerning, because just last weekend our deputies arrested a woman who was building a bomb inside another Walmart in our area,” Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “By now, we all realize as a society that falsely reporting a bomb or a bomb threat is neither funny nor appropriate. Joking or not, you will be arrested.”

Hillsborough Sheriff | Crime | Bomb Threat | Arrests | Tampabay News | News Tampa

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