More deputies are at the Campbell Soup plant in the Maxton area of Robeson County after several threats in recent days, including a threat written on a bathroom stall, according to Maxton Plant Manager Brett Dunson.
Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said that, "while we hope this is some kind of sick prank, our office takes threats of this nature very seriously as it affects hundreds of staff and employees at the Campbell Soup Company."
The sheriff's office has now asked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) to join in on their investigation as they track the suspect or suspects that have caused fear in the workplace.
Officials will "be seeking federal charges against anyone brought to justice in this case", Wilkins explained. “We will continue to utilize our patrol deputies to monitor the site both inside and outside as our Criminal Investigators work alongside state and federal agents.“
The plant received a bomb threat via a telephone call this past Saturday morning to the security line.
Once the call was received, we immediately contacted local law enforcement, which quickly responded to the plant and conducted an extensive search of the facility. While that search was underway, we received another threatening call. At that time, and out of an abundance of caution after consultation with law enforcement, we evacuated the plant. The search did not identify any threat and employees returned to work and production resumed soon thereafter,” said Dunson.
You’re urged to call police or 911 if you have any information on the threats.
“We take these matters extremely seriously and the safety of our employees is paramount. We have engaged federal, state and local law enforcement and will continue to work closely and cooperate fully with their investigation to find the person or persons responsible, at which time we intend to seek their prosecution to the fullest extent of the law,” said Dunson.