Police: Bomb detection robot deployed Sunday after threat, evacuation at Cedar Rapids Walmart

CEDAR RAPIDS — Cedar Rapids police evacuated customers at the southwest Cedar Rapids Walmart on Sunday evening after a man reportedly made a bomb threat in the Auto Center.

According to a public safety news release, police were made aware at 6:16 p.m. of the threat in the automotive service section of the store, located in the 3600 block of 29th Avenue SW.

The extra-duty officer there alerted the Cedar Rapids Metro Hazardous Devices Unit about the threat and began evacuating that business and others in the vicinity.

The hazardous devices team deployed an explosive detection robot and two technicians to the area. Police said when they searched a suspect car, they found no evidence of explosives.

By 7:45 p.m., the area was declared safe and no injuries were reported.

Roy Boughner, 56, of Coralville, who police said made the bomb threat, was arrested on charges of harassment and disorderly conduct and taken to the Linn County Jail.

According to a criminal complaint, Boughner told a woman he had a nuclear warhead and a chemical warhead in his vehicle and was going to cause damage to the store.