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Suspect In Wednesday Evening Bomb Scare Arrested

  The man believed to be responsible for the evacuation of several businesses after walking into Staples with a bag he claimed held explosives has been charged with a felony and is currently being held without bond.

Robert Schaffer, 44, who is believed to be homeless, is charged with one count of intentionally delivering a facsimile or hoax bomb. The offense is a fourth-degree felony.

Agents from the FBI and ATF responded to last night’s incident and will continue to assist with the investigations of all such threats.

Shortly after 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, Las Cruces Police were dispatched to the report of a possible explosive device at the Staples office supply store at 2260 E. Lohman Ave. Officers learned that a man entered the store, handed a bag to an employee and indicated that it contained a bomb. The man then continued into the store where he was seen walking through the aisles.

Officers located and detained the suspect, identified as Schaffer, a short while later.

The store was evacuated along with other nearby businesses. A K-9 explosives detection team from the New Mexico State University Police Department and the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad were called in. It was subsequently determined that the bag did not contain a bomb or explosive device.

No injuries were reported.

Schaffer was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he is initially being held without bond.

Information from Las Cruces Police