South Whitehall police, along with their K-9 Kimber, responded Saturday afternoon to Target in Crest Plaza, South Whitehall, following a nonspecific bomb threat made via telephone to the store.

The store was evacuated following the call reported to police at 1:40 p.m.

Police and fire officials arrived quickly, cordoned off the parking lot and notified several adjacent businesses in the shopping center at 1600 N. Cedar Crest Blvd.

One witness who was driving on Walbert Avenue at the time told The Press she had no idea what was going on when she saw multiple police and fire vehicles converging in the parking lot.

Kimber, an explosive detection K-9, cleared Target and customers were allowed to return.

A Target manager declined to comment after the store was reopened around 3 p.m. Target’s corporate media relations department did not respond to questions as of press time.

Crest Plaza is home to several businesses including Weis Markets, a Wine and Spirits liquor store and Biaggio’s Pizzeria and Family Restaurant.

According to Biaggio’s owner Joe Ruffino, who spoke to The Press on Sunday, the incident did not disrupt his business but he was grateful for the quick and efficient actions of the South Whitehall Police Department.

“I think South Whitehall police do an extraordinary job,” Ruffino said.

“The whole group of them have always handled any situation very professionally.”

The investigation is ongoing, police say.