Renys evacuated after bomb threat

Bridgton Police arrested a 36-year-old Bridgton man Tuesday for allegedly calling in a bomb threat to Renys department store that forced an immediate evacuation of the building.

Kenneth Meisner, 36, of Main Street, Bridgton, has been charged with a felony Class C terrorizing in relation to the bomb threat, and was transported to the Cumberland County Jail. Meisner’s arrest came after a follow-up investigation on the threat by Officer Phil Jones.

A Renys employee received a phone call at about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday from a male who indicated that there was an explosive device within the store, said Bridgton Police Chief Kevin Schofield. The store manager immediately contacted Bridgton Police, evacuated and locked the store.

Members of the Bridgton Police Department, Fire Department and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office set up a perimeter around the store to secure the area. A K-9 unit from the Maine State Police searched the store, and no explosive device was located.