Man charged after alleged threats to blow up, shoot people at Hunterdon County Lowe’s
RARITAN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — An East Amwell man has been charged after authorities said he threatened to blow up and shoot employees and customers at a Lowe’s store in Hunterdon County.
Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson and Raritan Township Police Chief Al Payne announced the arrest of Peter W. Randolph, 45, following an investigation into threats reported at the Raritan Township Lowe’s store.
Police said officers were notified May 12 after a Lowe’s employee reported that the company’s corporate call center had received a threatening phone call allegedly made by Randolph.
Investigators said Randolph had previously purchased a lawn mower from the store and was dissatisfied with the product despite efforts by Lowe’s to resolve the issue.
According to authorities, Randolph threatened to “blow up” the store using accessible chemicals and to “shoot everyone” inside the building.
The New Jersey State Police responded to Randolph’s residence, where he was taken into custody without incident.
At the same time, Raritan Township police conducted a search of the Lowe’s store and surrounding parking lot. Authorities said no explosives, hazardous materials or active threats were found.
Investigators later obtained a court-authorized search warrant for Randolph’s residence. During the search, authorities said officers seized multiple firearms and a hoax explosive device.
Randolph was charged with second-degree false public alarms and third-degree terroristic threats.
He is being held at the Warren County Jail pending a detention hearing scheduled for May 21.
Authorities said second-degree charges in New Jersey can carry penalties of five to 10 years in prison and fines up to $150,000, while third-degree offenses are punishable by three to five years in prison and fines up to $15,000.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to contact the Raritan Township Police Department at 908-782-8889 or the Hunterdon County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-800-321-0010. Authorities said anonymous tips will be kept confidential.
