Cst. Dave Hough and PSD Luthor begin their search of Pomme Natural Market on Wednesday, Aug. 11 after a bomb threat was jokingly made by an employee. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

JUST KIDDING

Joke bomb threat at north Nanaimo business ‘beyond comprehension’ for local RCMP

Aug 12, 2021 | 9:35 AM

NANAIMO — A bomb threat at a north Nanaimo business turned out to be a bad joke and the result of a workplace dispute.

Multiple RCMP officers, including a Police Service Dog unit, were called to Pomme Natural Market in the 6500 block of Metral Dr. around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 11.

Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW an employee had texted a co-worker, asking them to call in a bomb threat because they didn’t want to work with another employee. Management at the store eventually became aware of the message.

“This is absolutely ridiculous and it was ill-thought out and completely selfish. We take these situations extremely seriously and to tie up front line resources for the sake of not wanting to work with another person is beyond comprehension.”

The store was closed for around 10 minutes while police investigated and Police Dog Services swept the scene out of an abundance of caution.

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No charges are pending against the employee involved.

“We didn’t think it was funny, neither did anyone else in the business and our members had a discussion with that person and their employer about the inappropriateness of the comment,” O’Brien said.

NanaimoNewsNOW confirmed with Pomme Natural Market the person involved remains employed at the market, however they declined comment about any ongoing internal investigation.

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