$10,000 bail set for man accused of bomb threats at Target

Olympia’s Target and a nearby Xfinity store were evacuated Wednesday for over three hours after a person called 911 and said there were three bombs inside Target. 

After determining the threat was fake, police arrested 27-year-old Matthew R. Ingraham, who was charged with threats to bomb or injure property, a class B felony. Ingraham told officers he made the threats after getting into a verbal altercation with a security guard at the store, according to court documents.

Court documents indicate police were called to the Target store at 2925 Harrison Ave. NW at around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday after being notified of the threat. The 911 dispatcher who received the threatening call advised a male-sounding voice said there were three bombs inside Target before the caller hung up. The person didn’t answer any follow-up calls.

The Target and nearby Xfinity were evacuated and Washington State Patrol troopers showed up with multiple K-9 units. After roughly three and a half hours, it was determined there were no bombs in the store.

According to court documents, police determined Ingraham was the person who made the call because his phone number was already on record from another matter. Police spoke with someone who knows Ingraham, and played a recording of the voice in the 911 call. The person said it sounded like Ingraham’s voice.

Police found Ingraham at a store in Olympia and took him to the Olympia Police Department. There, he allegedly told officers he made the call after getting into a verbal fight with a security guard at the store.

Ingraham appeared in Thurston County Superior Court Thursday afternoon. He was placed on $10,000 bail upon request from Deputy Prosecutor Scott Jackson.

Public Defender Danielle Walker argued Ingraham should be released on his own personal recognizance, saying the threats Ingraham made were hollow since there were no actual explosives in the store. She also said Ingraham was receiving mental health treatment, and jail isn’t a good environment for people with mental illness. 

Judge John Skinder said the charge against Ingraham is a violent offense, even if there weren’t any bombs in the store. If Ingraham posts bail, Skinder said, he’s required to stay in touch with a mental health professional and stay away from any Target locations. He has an arraignment hearing set for Tuesday, Oct. 13.