Photo by Gage Vota Belmont County Sheriff James Zusack holds a mugshot of Larry Harvey, who was arrested on multiple felony charges in connection with bomb threats made to several Belmont County businesses.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE – An 18-year-old man was arrested in connection with the bomb threats made Tuesday toward several Belmont County businesses.

Larry Harvey was arrested on five counts of making terroristic threats and five counts of inducing panic, Belmont County Sheriff James Zusack said. Harvey allegedly made several bomb threats to businesses located at the Ohio Valley Plaza.

At around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Richland Township police department arrived at Walmart due to it receiving a bomb threat that was called into the store. Following the Walmart threat, Sheetz, Kroger, Whiteside Auto, Unified Bank, Texas Roadhouse, Denny’s and Red Roof Inn all allegedly received threats. The caller allegedly demanded money and threatened to detonate explosives if his demands were not met.

Zusack said that the calls promoted evacuations from customers and workers at the locations called.

“I’d like to thank all of the agencies that were involved. They all did have a fantastic job to put this to an end,” Zusack said. “I know it scared a lot of people. I think the biggest thing that happened was a guy ran out of Kroger and got hit by a vehicle. We do not know his condition as of yet.”

Zusack added that, through quick investigation efforts, Harvey was located at an area hotel.

“When I went to where he was apprehended they asked him why he did this, and he said he just wanted to see what would happen,” Zusack said. “So this is what happens in Belmont County: five counts of terroristic threats, five counts of inducing panic, all felony charges and a $1 million bond. That’s what happens.”

Harvey will be arraigned at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at Belmont County Eastern Division Court by Judge David Trouten.

Multiple agencies assisted Belmont County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation. Richland Township Police Department, St. Clairsville Police Department, Cumberland Trail Fire Department, Wheeling Police Department K-9 units and the Ohio State Highway Patrol were involved in the coordinated investigation.

Zusack said that the investigation remains ongoing.