TOLEDO, Ohio - Several businesses in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan received bomb threats Thursday afternoon.
WTOL 11 reports multiple area businesses received an email that demanded a payment in Bitcoin in exchange for defusing an alleged bomb that had been hidden in their place of business.
Rossford Police investigated multiple threats at the Target store on SR 20. After searching the store, they gave an all-clear and reopened the store.
Police also responded to threats on Gypsy Lane in Bowling Green and in the 9600 block of Findlay Pike in Perrysburg. Toledo Police say they were aware of several threats sent out in the city.
Officials say the emails appear to be hoaxes, but were investigating as a precaution. The threats in the Toledo area appear to part of a nationwide string of threatening emails that have been sent to businesses and schools across the country.
In a statement, the FBI says they're working with law enforcement around the country as they investigate the threats:
"We are aware of the recent bomb threats made in cities around the country, and we remain in touch with our law enforcement partners to provide assistance. As always, we encourage the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activities which could represent a threat to public safety.”
They urge anyone who may have received one of the threatening emails to report them to local law enforcement.