Stores in The Commons at Holmdel on Route 35 were searched by police and bomb-sniffing dogs, before calling the bomb threat a hoax.
HOLMDEL -- Several stores were closed for more than two hours at The Commons At Holmdel Friday after someone called The Children's Place claiming there was a bomb somewhere in "the complex," according to officials.
Police and bomb-sniffing dogs searched inside and outside the mall on Route 35, before calling the bomb threat a hoax, the Holmdel Township Police Department said in a release.
Several businesses in the shopping center were evacuated and closed just before 1 p.m., according to the release. The stores were reopened to guests at around 3:15 p.m. after no suspicious devices were found.
The Monmouth County Sheriff's Office and Wall Township Police Department assisted in the search. The Holmdel Fire Department and First Aid also responded.
Police are still trying to find out who made the phone call.
Craig McCarthy may be reached at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig. Find NJ.com on Facebook.