By Tammy Murga and Zack Jordan
tmurga@record-bee.com
zjordan@record-bee.com
MIDDLETOWN >> Twin Pines Casino & Hotel was evacuated after staff members received an apparent bomb threat by phone on Tuesday morning. An estimated 200 guests and staff were forced to leave the facility as a bomb squad was called in and law enforcement officers searched the area.
Following an initial investigation, authorities found no immediate cause of danger, but the search continued into the afternoon hours.
According to Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin, the casino received the threat of a bomb via a phone call around 9:26 a.m. Casino staff immediately called law enforcement and followed the steps necessary to exit the building.
Units from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and California Highway Patrol responded.
Customers were safely evacuated and employees were sent home. Throughout the early afternoon, several people were turned away at the parking gate by staff, notifying of those that arrived of the evacuations. While the casino and hotel were cleared, units conducted a check of both the interior and exterior premises.
“We searched all rooms, outbuildings, and trashcans,” added Martin.
Evacuee Joyce Blohm said she was sitting at one of the slot machines when staff announced “mandatory evacuations” through a loudspeaker. Blohm said that although some people appeared to be in shock and disbelief, people remained calm amidst an unknown, developing situation.
After evacuating, Blohm shared how she overheard employees discuss that an employee answered a phone call to the casino, where a person warned of “a bomb inside the building.”
District 1 Supervisor and Tribal Chairman of Twin Pines Moke Simon left during Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting to respond to the scene.
By noon, Martin said initial investigations revealed, “[n]othing that’s of concern at this point.” He added, “We’re continuing our investigation. We have some leads and some information to see who’s responsible.”
According to Martin and casino staff, Twin Pines was expected to reopen for regular business hours by 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
By early afternoon, investigators began to focus on identifying the caller. No further information was available at press time.
