'Copycat' Bomb Threat Made at Cedar Hill School

Just days after another district school was evacuated because of a bomb threat, Cedar Hill Elementary School students were also evacuated because of a similar threat, according to Montville Township Police Capt. Rudy Appelmann. 

The students were safely placed on school buses, as part of the school's evacuation plan, around 11:20 a.m. while officials determined whether they should be bussed to another location, Appelmann said. Ultimately, the buses did not leave the parking lot and students were able to return within about 20 minutes.

Appelmann said police believe Thursday's threat, which is still under investigation, originated from inside the school, similarly to Monday's bomb threat at the Robert R. Lazar Middle School. However, Appelmann said police do not believe the two incidents are related.

"We're not linking the two together," Appelmann said. "We think Cedar Hill may just be a copycat or an offshoot of the last time."

In Monday's case, students were safely evacuated first to the Montville Community Park and then to the high school after a written threat of a bomb was discovered around lunch time. Thursday's Cedar Hill threat also seemed to be around the same time. No bomb was found in the Lazar School on Monday.

"They're unique in their own ways, but it's kind of similar," Appelmann said.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paul Fried was not immediately available for comment.

In addition to Montville Township police, the Montville Township Volunteer First Aid Squad, Towaco Volunteer Fire Department, Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Morris County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit and Morris County Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad were also sent to the school.

The investigation of both threats are ongoing.