Streets in Gallatin reopened after an alleged bomb threat at the Department of Children’s Services.
Authorities with the Gallatin Police Department said the incident began Wednesday morning at the location across from the post office on Maple Street.
More than 100 employees at Gallatin's Department of Human Services and conjoining Department of Children Services were loaded onto buses and taken to nearby Gallatin High School.
The suspect, 32-year-old Owen Ashworth, was taken into custody about an hour after police said he walked into the building around 8:30 a.m. with question regarding his EBT card.
"But he also had a note claiming he had a bomb on him and he was demanding money," Gallatin Police Spokesperson Bill Storment said.
Just around the corner family members at Campione's Restaurant were preparing for their daily customers.
"Cop came by, said everybody out, didn't say why but when a cop is carrying a machine pistol and tells you to get out, you believe him," said restaurant owner, Rob Coxworth.
Both Maple Street and Hancock Street had been shut down while crews investigated. Around 11:30 a.m. reports stated no explosive device was found, and streets in that area had reopened.
Traffic was diverted, and officials had asked the public to avoid that area while authorities worked at the scene.
The threat wasthe third time this month a businesses has been evacuated due to bomb threats in Gallatin.
Both the Chick-Fil-A and Save-A-Lot as well as surrounding businesses were evacuated earlier this month. Both incidents turned out to be a hoax but officers said these days, they can't take any risks although it does cost law enforcement time and the city, money.
"Ties up a lot of personnel because you've not only got people immediately at the scene but you've got the perimeter scene trying to keep it closed down, keep it safe," Storment said
Officers searched Ashworth's residence Wednesday afternoon which happens to sit between the Save-A-Lot and DHS.
"I'm not saying it's related to the Save-A-Lot bomb threat but right now we don't know, all three could be related," Storment said.
The investigation was ongoing.
