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01-15-2007, 11:25 AM
Explosion, Chemical Cloud Forces Wal-Mart Evacuation
STOCKBRIDGE, Ga. -- Police are searching for four toy thieves who set off a small explosion in a Henry County Wal-Mart Sunday night to cover their tracks.
The men apparently were trying to shoplift a toy on Sunday evening from the story on Hudson Bridge Road. A store employee saw one of the young men put a toy inside his pants.
While the employee was trying to get help, the men went to the area where swimming pool chemicals were stocked and mixed a chlorine-based chemical with another item. It caused a small explosion and released white cloud inside the store, said Lt. Jason Bolton of the Henry County police.
"They made their escape in the chaos that ensued," Bolton said. "It's just hard to believe they did something like this to shoplift something as insignificant as a toy."
Four people, including an employee, were taken to the hospital for respiratory problems. Three others were treated by emergency workers outside the store.
Bolton said the men turned a shoplifting misdemeanor into more serious charges, including "one of terroristic acts."
STOCKBRIDGE, Ga. -- Police are searching for four toy thieves who set off a small explosion in a Henry County Wal-Mart Sunday night to cover their tracks.
The men apparently were trying to shoplift a toy on Sunday evening from the story on Hudson Bridge Road. A store employee saw one of the young men put a toy inside his pants.
While the employee was trying to get help, the men went to the area where swimming pool chemicals were stocked and mixed a chlorine-based chemical with another item. It caused a small explosion and released white cloud inside the store, said Lt. Jason Bolton of the Henry County police.
"They made their escape in the chaos that ensued," Bolton said. "It's just hard to believe they did something like this to shoplift something as insignificant as a toy."
Four people, including an employee, were taken to the hospital for respiratory problems. Three others were treated by emergency workers outside the store.
Bolton said the men turned a shoplifting misdemeanor into more serious charges, including "one of terroristic acts."