Last week two more bomb threats were made against Kroger stores in suburban Cincinnati, OH.  Both stores were evacuated as a precaution, but no evidence of an explosive device were found.

During June, five Kroger stores in Cincinnati and northern Kentucky were evacuated after similar threats.  To date, no ransom claims have been made and the incidents are under active investigation.  A spokesperson for Kroger stated, “We are disheartened by the continued violent threats against our customers and associates.  One of our core values is safety and we remain committed to protecting our customers and associates from injury with a safe and secure workplace and shopping environment.  Our stores are safe.”

The fact that the affected stores were in close proximity suggests a more local perpetrator rather than any national campaign against the chain that might be attributed to the proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons.

Local police and the FBI are investigating the threats and will include a review of disaffected ex-employees and the installation of tracer technology on phone systems used by Kroger stores.