Bonne Terre Harp's Store Evacuated

(Bonne Terre, MO) Everything is back to normal at the Harp's Grocery Store of Bonne Terre after the store went on lockdown at 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon over a threatening phone call. Bonne Terre Police indicate the call appears to have been what's called a "swatting" call. The calls are used to activate all police, fire, and emergency responders to the scene as a prank. In this case the caller also attempted to use extortion tactics by gaining gift, or other monetary, cards. These calls have been reported at other Harp's locations in the region and at other businesses in St. Francois County. Authorities say incidents like this are treated as serious and all police, emergency, and first responders are activated in case the threat is real. No injuries were reported as a result of the incident. The Harp's Bonne Terre Store was determined safe and back open within about a half hour.