On 04-14-16 at approximately 9 p.m., a clerk at the Winn Dixie grocery store located at 2240 Commercial Way in Spring Hill answered a call from a male caller. The male caller asked the clerk to confirm which Winn Dixie he had called, then he advised the clerk that, “There is a bomb in the store, and it is going to explode.” Nothing else was said during the conversation.
The clerk hung up and immediately notified the store manager. The clerk then called 9-1-1 to summon authorities.
Upon arrival, law enforcement officers and fire/rescue personnel evacuated the Winn Dixie store and one adjacent business. Two teams of law enforcement officers entered the Winn Dixie store to search for an explosive device. After an extensive search, it was determined there were no explosive devices inside the store.
Detective Chris Vascellaro from the Major Case Unit was assigned to investigate the case.
The investigation was extremely complicated and laborious from the start, as there are only two incoming telephone lines to the Winn Dixie store, neither of which are equipped with caller ID. Throughout the course of the four-month long investigation, Detective Vascellaro issued seven subpoenas and two search warrants in order to obtain evidence in this case.
Within just the last few weeks, a suspect was identified in the case.
As a result of Detective Vascellaro’s tireless efforts and dedication to justice, a warrant was issued for the arrest of:
– Randy Keith Hughes W/M born in 1966, who was charged as follows:
– False Report of a Bomb
– Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device
Bond – $10,000
– Identity Theft
Bond – $2,000.
Investigation revealed that Hughes utilized a telephone number spoofing service to “spoof” the telephone number of a third party, who he reportedly “had problems with” in the past. Hughes wanted it to appear that the Bomb Threat came from this person’s number so she would eventually be charged with the crime. Evidence revealed that she (the third party) did not make the call.
Hughes remains in the Hernando County Detention Center.