By Mark Wineka
Salisbury Post
CONCORD ó A lunchtime bomb scare at the Wal-Mart SuperCenter off Dale Earnhardt Boulevard forced the store’s evacuation Wednesday and led to the arrest of two men.
The Wal-Mart, just over the city line from Kannapolis, was closed for approximately three hours until personnel from the Concord Police Department and Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Department determined that a tool box left at the customer service desk had tools inside, not a bomb.
Authorities charged Kareem Quadir Miles, 26, of 621 Leonard Ave., Kannapolis, with making a false bomb report ó a felony. He also was wanted by Kannapolis Police on an outstanding warrant for possession of a firearm by a felon.
Miles’ 17-year-old companion, Jamal Wright Jr. of 621 Bell St., Concord, was charged with possession of crack cocaine after he was searched at the store. Police said he had a baggie containing crack in his pants pocket.
Maj. Wendell Rummage of the Concord Police Department said Miles and Wright entered the store around noon, and Miles was carrying a tool box. A Wal-Mart employee asked him to check the tool box in at the customer service desk.
When the employee asked what was in the box, Miles answered “a bomb” and, leaving the tool box behind, walked off with Wright to do his shopping.
The employee informed the store manager of Miles’ comment. The store manager called law enforcement and began the store’s evacuation of about 200 people.
As police arrived during the exodus, Miles and Wright approached the customer service desk again to retrieve the tool box. Employees identified Miles and Wright to authorities, and the men were taken into custody and transported to the Concord Police Department for additional questioning.
Miles told officers he was joking when he made the bomb comment, Rummage reported.
The tool box was “destroyed and rendered safe” by the Cabarrus Sheriff’s Department Bomb and Hazardous Device Team, Rummage said.
Rummage said Miles was placed under $10,000 for making the false bomb report and $5,000 bond for the outstanding warrant from Kannapolis Police.
Police placed Wright under $2,000 bond. Wright was not charged in connection with making the bomb report.
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Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263 or mwineka@salisburypost.com.