Theatergoers got a bit of a scare Sunday evening when Laemmle’s Claremont 5 received a bomb threat during the last screenings of the night.

According to Claremont Lieutenant Mike Ciszek, officers were dispatched to the movie house located at 450 W. 2nd Street, at 10:38 p.m. after a staff member at the main box office received a phone call from an unknown male stating there was a bomb in the building.

Within minutes, four officers from the Claremont Police Department arrived on scene, evacuating 50 people, including patrons and staff, while they searched the theater for the alleged explosive device.

“We provided a security sweep of the location and didn’t locate anything suspicious inside the building,” said Lt. Ciszek.

Police spent about 80 minutes scouring the Claremont Village Square building and concluded their search around midnight.

“We gave all of our patrons refunds as that was the last show of the night,” says Jay Riesbaum, Senior Vice President of Laemmle Theaters.  “We are unaware of any ongoing issues. This appears to be a random act.”

Laemmle’s Claremont 5 will resume its normal screening schedule this afternoon.

Claremont police will continue their investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Claremont Police Department at (909) 399-5411.

—Angela Bailey

news@claremont-courier.com