Government Center in Southern Minnesota Evacuated

Albert Lea, MN (KROC-AM News) - For the second time in less than a month, a bomb threat has prompted the evacuation of the Freeborn County Courthouse in Albert Lea.

Freeborn County Sheriff Ryan Shea says the evacuation was ordered this afternoon after the Sheriff's Office received a 911 call around 1:30 PM from a person claiming to have planted a bomb in the "Albert Lea Courthouse." The Sheriff says the caller also made a demand for $1 million and stated they would call a half hour later with further instructions.

Freeborn County Sheriff's Office photo

A news release says the Freeborn County Government Center was promptly evacuated and the affected employees were sent home for the day. A remote dispatch center was also established while the building was searched.

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Sheriff Shea says bomb detection dogs from the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office and Rochester Police Department responded to assist in the search. Nothing was found in the "all clear" was announced around 5:30 p.m.

An investigation aimed at identifying the caller is ongoing.

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On July 5, the Courthouse in Albert Lea was evacuated after a homemade pipe bomb was discovered in a locked gun safe that was brought to the Freeborn County law enforcement center following the arrest of a man who had allegedly led Albert Lea police on a brief chase. A bomb squad from the Twin Cities was brought in to safely dispose of the explosive device.

Freeborn County Sheriff's Office photo

The man accused of possessing the pipe bomb, 48-year-old Adam Pennhollow was charged with felony counts of fleeing police, drug possession, possession of an explosive device, and possession of a firearm suppressor. The criminal complaint says the discovery of the explosive device at the government center led to a search of the man's home, where investigators found a variety of firearms, including a stockless rifle with a sawed-off barrel and a sound suppressor. It's alleged they also found two explosive devices and a partial home built submachine gun.