Bomb threats target Rehoboth Beach bar

Two separate bomb threats to a Rehoboth Beach bar since the beginning of April turned out to be false, but police continue to take the threats seriously.

“Our efforts are primarily focused on the safety of people within and around the affected area,” said Sgt. Mark Sweet of the Rehoboth Beach Police Department. “The secondary focus is searching for any devices that could be harmful, and if found, disabling those devices in a safe manner. All bomb threats are treated as credible until we can determine they are not.” 

In both cases, he said, nothing was found.

Rehoboth police also never received an email, similar to ones sent to local news outlets April 6 and April 15. Freddie Lutz, owner of Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant on Rehoboth Avenue near the Boardwalk, said he has received four threats from an unknown source. 

“It’s because it’s associated with Freddie’s in Arlington [Va.],” he said.

A Family Fun Storytime Brunch with drag queen Tara Hoot had been planned April 6 at the Arlington site when the first email was sent. Lutz said police in Arlington cleared the facility, and the event went on as planned for about two dozen attendees.

“If you don’t approve of the storybook or songs, then don’t come in,” Lutz said, pointing out that they do not offer storybook hour in Rehoboth Beach.

The second bomb threat was sent April 15 and again listed the Rehoboth Beach bar along with Planet Fitness facilities in Milford, Millsboro, Seaford and Ocean City, Md., which were also listed in the April 6 threat.

A Worcester County Sheriff’s Office statement on the Ocean City bomb threat April 15 said the incident was a hoax and is currently under investigation.

Following the April 6 bomb threat at the Milford Planet Fitness, Milford police posted that the facility and neighboring businesses were evacuated.

“There is no threat to Milford residents or visitors. This threat was part of a string of bomb threats made to Planet Fitness locations throughout the state. The businesses have been turned back over to their management teams,” police wrote.

Threats to Planet Fitness facilities nationwide have increased over the company’s trans-inclusive locker room policy.