Seabrook police: Woman made fake Walmart threats to divert police from boyfriend

SEABROOK — Police allege a Maine woman called in fake threats stating there was a bomb and gunman in Walmart Saturday morning as a distraction in an attempt to prevent her boyfriend from getting arrested nearby.

Meghan Leavitt, 38, of Alfred, Maine, was arraigned Monday at Rockingham Superior Court on several charges related to making the false threats.

The new details of the case were released in a court affidavit.

Leavitt entered not guilty pleas to charges of false reports as to explosives, false reports to law enforcement, false public alarm, criminal threatening, and possession of crack cocaine.

Judge Andrew Schulman took the matter of Leavitt's bail under advisement and will issue a decision within 24 hours.

State prosecutor Jill Cook argued Leavitt should remain in preventative detention, saying she is a danger to herself and the public. She noted Leavitt has past drug convictions and is wanted out of Maine for probation violations.

"We see her as a risk of flight," Cook told the judge. "We certainly see her as a danger to the community."

Public defense attorney Deanna Campbell pushed for personal recognizance bail for Leavitt with the requirements she complies with Maine probation, requirements for treatment, as well as attend future court dates in New Hampshire and Maine.

"That will enable her to seek the help that she desperately needs," Campbell said.

More:Details of ex-police chief's dispute with town leaders over officer revealed in emails

Seabrook police respond to bomb gunmen threats

Seabrook police said they responded to Walmart at about 11 a.m. Saturday after receiving a report there was an explosive device in the store. While enroute to the store in the shopping center at 700 Lafayette Road, officers received a second call that went into the police station, saying there was a man with a firearm in Walmart.

Police quickly determined there was no one in the store with a firearm. Walmart and adjoining stores were evacuated, however, as police searched for the reported explosive.

According to police, the New Hampshire State Police Bomb Squad was called in to sweep the building for explosives. Finding none, police determined there was no threat and the stores were reopened at approximately 1 p.m.

Seabrook Deputy Chief Kevin Gelineau said police identified a suspect in the case early on. According to WMUR, Leavitt allegedly made the calls on speakerphone while in an Uber car that was overheard by the driver.

Prosecutor says woman's boyfriend was arrested in front of another store

Cook said the calls were made to create a distraction because "her boyfriend was getting arrested in front of Dick's Sporting Goods." Dick's Sporting Goods is located in the same plaza as Walmart.

"Not only did she call in the false bomb threat to Walmart, but she also called into Seabrook dispatch indicating that a guy had a gun in Walmart," Cook told the judge. "She didn't stop there. She later called the Seabrook Police Department, all from the same phone number, and advised that she was her boyfriend's attorney."

Cook said police were able to trace back the calls to her phone.

Leavitt was arrested Saturday without incident at the Best Western Hotel in Seabrook. Cook said when police arrested her, Leavitt was found with crack cocaine.

‘I did nothing wrong’:Woman says police had no right to jail her for drinking at home

Prosecutor, defense attorney differ on bail

Cook argued preventive detention was warranted in this case because Leavitt has a history of not complying with court orders.

Leavitt has two prior convictions of violation of release and has not reported to her probation officer in Maine in four to five months.

While the alleged conduct was "extremely disruptive and certainly created a public nuisance," Campbell told the judge it's not "clear and convincing evidence" that she is a danger to the community.

"If the state's theory that this was to create a distraction with respect to another gentleman who is being arrested in front of Dick's Sporting Goods, if that was the intent, it was certainly not to create a dangerous situation," she said.

"This is not just saying someone is being disruptive," Cook said. "This is someone who called in a bomb threat that incited concern and scare and diverted law enforcement to address this … to go into Walmart thinking there is someone in there with a gun."

Schulman took the matter of bail under advisement, noting that "preventive detention is strong medicine" and personal recognizance doesn't answer the risk of flight.

"Neither one makes me happy, so I'm going to think about it for a little bit," he said.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Maine woman pleads not guilty to Walmart bomb, gunman threats