Target Store Evacuated in Bergen County After Employee Allegedly Phoned in False Bomb Threat

A bomb threat forced the evacuation of a Bergen County Target store on Saturday afternoon. A store employee made the threat, police later discovered.

Law enforcement reported the incident at Target in Edgewater Commons after 1:40 p.m. Edgewater police reacted immediately to a bomb call at the company. While investigators investigated, shoppers and personnel were evacuated.

Edgewater Fire Department, Bergen County Sheriff’s K-9, and police searched the business. After comprehensive assessment, officials found no bombs or other risks. After an hour, the store reopened.

Store CCTV footage was investigated by police. West New York resident Jossi Duarte, 22, was seen leaving her job and making the threatening call from another aisle. Investigators say Duarte sold AT&T at Target.

Officials say Duarte fled the store during the evacuation but returned to finish her work. Police arrested her at her West New York home around 10:30 p.m. Her arrest brought her to Bergen County Jail.

Third-degree terroristic threats and second-degree false public alarm charges await Duarte. On Monday, court records revealed no attorney for her.

Due to their inconvenience and safety risks, officers take bogus threats seriously. The event closed a popular retail store and prompted multiple emergency responses.

The case remains under the jurisdiction of local authorities, and no additional details have been released at this time.

Sources:
Edgewater Police Department
Bergen County Sheriff’s Department