Cookeville, TN – On Monday, June 4, 2018 at 10:05 PM, employees at Walmart alerted the
Cookeville Police Department of a suspicious suitcase found beside the propane tank cage. A
white male was seen exiting a white car and placing the suitcase beside the cage before leaving
the area. Due to the totality of the circumstances and out of abundance of caution, the store
and parking area were evacuated. The Special Operations Unit of the Tennessee Highway Patrol
(THP) was asked to assist with the suitcase. After the package was secured, it was determined
that it did not contain any type of explosive device.
During the Walmart investigation, our officers were notified of a piece of luggage sitting beside
a propane tank cage at Kroger. Officers evacuated the building and parking area prior to THP
assisting. The luggage was secured and determined that it did not contain any type of explosive
device.
We do not believe these incidents are related since we have reason to believe that the luggage
found at Kroger had been placed a few days prior to the notification. These incidents remain
under investigation. If anyone witnessed the incidents and has not yet spoken with police,
please call the Criminal Investigation Division of the Cookeville Police Department at 931-520-
5267 or the main station at 931-526-2125.
Always notify police or security if you notice a suspicious person or package. Do not approach
the person or handle the package and allow law enforcement to investigate the situation. The
Cookeville Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, and the Special Operations
Unit of the Tennessee Highway Patrol worked together to assist with this situation.
