The Gainesville Police Department has asked for the public's help locating a suspect in a recent bomb threat in the city.
A social media post from the department said Rachel Renee Robinson is accused of making the false threat on Thursday, March 24, against a business in the 600 block of Jesse Jewell Parkway. The roadway was closed at the intersection with Queen City Parkway for several hours as a result.
Robinson is described as 5'8" tall and 360 pounds. A photo of Robinson is available at the top of this story. She is wanted for felony false public alarm.
Anyone with information on Robinson's whereabouts should contact Detective B. Raper at 770-535-3783 or submit an anonymous tip online here.
Original story published March 24, 2022, at 8:59 p.m.:
A busy Gainesville intersection was closed to traffic for a few hours Thursday evening as authorities investigated a bomb threat in the area.
"Shortly after 6:30 p.m., emergency crews responded to the 600-block of Jesse Jewell Parkway in regards to a reported bomb threat," said Gainesville Police's Downtown District Supervisor Sgt. Kevin Holbrook by phone Thursday evening. "At that time, out of an abundance of caution, we had to divert traffic along Jesse Jewell and Queen City Parkway."
Responding to a follow-up email inquiring about a specific location targeted by the bomb threat call, Holbrook said the threat was made against Sports & Imports Auto Sales, located at 620 Jesse Jewell Parkway.
The intersection of Jesse Jewell and Queen City was shut down while "bomb detection K9s" from the Hall County Sheriff's Office were brought to the area in order to search for any potential explosive device.
Holbrook said the K9 units were able to clear the scene, determining that no explosive devices were present.
At this time, due to the anonymous nature of the initial bomb threat, no suspects have been identified.
"At this time the investigation is very active and ongoing. Again, this was a phone call that was received, so investigators are working on that," Holbrook said. "It's important that the public know that this is a case that we do take seriously, it's something that we will fully investigate, and hopefully we will be able to bring someone to justice in this case."
Holbrook specifically thanked residents and drivers in the area for cooperating with authorities while the threat was investigated.
"Many times people do these types of crimes for unknown reasons, but it takes a lot of resources from public safety, plus it adds a huge inconvenience to the public." he added. "But we're always going to air on the side of caution to ensure that our city and our citizens are safe, and that's exactly what we did"
Holbrook told AccessWDUN shortly before 8:30 p.m. Thursday that the intersection had been fully reopened to traffic.
