Suspicious Device in Concord Convenience Store Leads to Arrest

Concord

A woman is in custody after leaving a suspicious device inside a convenience store in Concord, Massachusetts, on Thursday night, prompting evacuations, a bomb-squad response and temporary road closures. The incident began around 7:30 p.m. on Sudbury Road and ended with the device found to be non-explosive and the suspect taken into custody following a separate crash in a neighboring town.

What happened

Police and fire crews responded after a woman allegedly entered a Dunkin’ in the same building as Nine Acre Farm Convenience & Deli carrying a suitcase. She reportedly pulled the fire alarm at the Dunkin’ and then walked into the deli, where she left the suitcase and warned staff that there would be a fire before leaving the scene.

Businesses within 300 feet of the deli were evacuated, and a heavy presence of first responders led to multiple road closures in the area. The Massachusetts State Police bomb squad was called to evaluate the suspicious device. No explosives or incendiary devices were found in the suitcase after investigation.

Arrest and follow-up

Investigators later located the woman in neighboring Lincoln after she reportedly crashed her vehicle into a home on South Great Road. Law enforcement apprehended her in a nearby wooded area. Her identity has not been released, and she will face criminal charges related to the incident.

Response and public safety

The Concord Police Department and Concord Fire Department confirmed the evacuation of the restaurant and nearby businesses. The Acton and Bedford Fire Departments provided mutual aid during the response. Authorities initially did not disclose whether the device was dangerous while the scene was being assessed; the bomb squad ultimately determined the suitcase did not contain explosives or incendiary devices.

Road closures and area status

Road closures during the response included Sudbury Road from Nashawtuc Country Club to the Sudbury town line and Route 117 from Dakin Road in Sudbury to Lee’s Bridge. First responders later cleared the scene and all affected roadways have since reopened. Local officials said no residences were in the immediate vicinity of the incident.

Investigative and legal status

Police have taken the woman into custody and plan to file criminal charges related to leaving the suspicious device and related public-safety actions. The case remains under investigation by Concord authorities with support from state-level teams that responded to evaluate the device.

Community impact

The incident temporarily disrupted business operations in the affected building and nearby commercial properties and required the evacuation of customers and staff within a 300-foot radius. The prompt response by local and state teams allowed officials to clear the scene and reopen roads once the device was determined to be non-hazardous.

What investigators said

Officials confirmed the sequence of events leading to the evacuation, the bomb-squad evaluation, and the suspect’s later apprehension in Lincoln after a crash. Investigators have not released the woman’s identity and have provided no indication of additional threats linked to this incident.

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