FINDLAY, Ohio (WLIO) - The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a threat made against staff members of the Job and Family Services office.
Last Friday, a caller contacted the Northwest Ohio Job and Family Services call center in Sandusky after becoming upset about his benefits being canceled. The caller reportedly stated that he would “blow y’all up.” Authorities determined the call came from a Hancock County resident.
As a precaution, the Job and Family Services offices were closed early on Friday. K-9 units were brought in to search the building, and employees were cleared to return to work before 9 a.m. The investigation is ongoing.
MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE HANCOCK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Hancock County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Threat of Violence
Hancock County, OH – The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating a threat of violence made against staff members of Hancock County Job and Family Services.
On the afternoon of February 28, 2025, at approximately 3:00 P.M., a male caller contacted the Northwest Ohio Job and Family Services call center in Sandusky County, Ohio. Upset over canceled benefits, he threatened the call taker, stating he would “blow y’all up.” The caller did not specify whether the threat was directed at the Sandusky County call center or Hancock County Job and Family Services office.
The Sandusky County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation and determined the caller was a Hancock County resident receiving benefits there. They then referred the cases to our office for further investigation.
In coordination with Director Randy Galbraith of Hancock County Job and Family Services, staff members were evacuated at 4:00 P.M. as a precaution. The facility, which also houses the Hancock County Educational Service Center, was already scheduled to close at that time. It was further decided to close those offices until further investigation could be conducted.
On the morning of March 3, 2025, at 8:20 A.M., an Allen County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit searched the Hancock County Job and Family Services facility for explosive devices. No threats were detected. Director Galbraith and Jeff Young of the Hancock County Educational Services Center were notified, and employees were cleared to return at 8:55 A.M.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Michael A. Cortez
Sheriff
