New Albany threats being investigated by Tippah Sheriff

Update, Sunday evening, May 17th,

The search for those responsible for making at least two telephoned  threats to two New Albany businesses Thursday has been narrowed to one Tippah County family.

The telephoned threat of an AK-47 attack on the New Albany McDonalds came mid afternoon Thursday, May 15. The threat of a bomb placed at the  New Albany Walmart came around 6 p.m. the same day. Police responded to both business locations. The buildings were cleared of employees and customers and searched, but no firearms or bombs were found.

New Albany Police Chief Chris Robertson told NAnewsweb.com Sunday evening that ownership of the cell phone used to make the threats has been traced to one family in Tippah County. The phone was in the hands of law enforcement personnel by midday Friday.

Because the calls were made from Tippah County, the Sheriff’s department there is continuing the investigation of the threatening calls. Robertson said the Tippah County authorities are working to determine which of several juveniles related to the family owning the cell phone were involved in making the telephoned threats.

All of the threatening calls were made to a non-emergency telephone number at the New Albany Police Department.

Because the culprits are juveniles the criminal justice system is limited as to what prosecutions and punishments may be  considered.