Abandoned lunchbox causes havoc at Walmart

An unattended lunchbox in Walmart at 7150 Camino Arroyo in Gilroy Thursday afternoon incited a precautionary evacuation of the entire superstore just after 3 p.m.

Staff and customers flooded out of the building as the Gilroy Police Department and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad convened on the scene to investigate the mystery parcel.

In situations such as this, GPD Sgt. Pedro Espinoza says bomb squad officers use X-ray technology and remote video taping to ascertain what’s inside any suspicious package. 

Speaking after employees were allowed back inside the store at 5:30 p.m., GPD Sgt. Greg Flippo explained that a Hispanic male in his 30s had approached Walmart’s security and alerted them to the abandoned lunchbox. 

“Staff were nervous by the way the man presented the information,” said Sgt. Flippo.

According to GPD Officer Dave Aceves, the man told security:

“There is a suspicious bag at the front entrance. It’s probably a bomb. Here we go again. I used to be a sergeant so I know all about this.”

After watching security footage, Officer Aceves confirmed that the Hispanic male didn’t have the lunchbox with him when he arrived at Walmart and that he left after making the comment. 

Sgt. Flippo understands why the lunchbox – which was left on the floor between the main entrance and the deli section – may have attracted the man’s attention.

“It did look out of place,” he said. 

As of 4:05 p.m., roughly 75 employees were standing around in the parking lot. The managers declined to comment and told employees not to speak with the media. Walmart staff barricaded all parking lot exits with shopping carts to prevent drivers and pedestrians from entering the area. Multiple concerned callers flooded the Gilroy Dispatch phone lines during the incident.

The incident ended shortly before 5:30 p.m. when authorities confirmed the lunchbox did not contain any harmful elements. 

Mary, a Walmart assistant manager who declined to give her last name, refused to answer questions Friday from the Dispatch about the incident.

“I can’t talk to you,” she said. 

The Dispatch was, however, able to contact Walmart’s media relations department Friday.

“We believed we had a threat and went on the side of caution,” said Kayla Whaling, a spokeswoman for the company.

Whaling confirmed that the Walmart is working with GPD to work out who left the lunchbox on the floor.

“We have provided surveillance videos and we have provided information,” she said.