San Fernando Valley

LAPD Det. Tim Wain Scott, who works in the arson explosives detail, said that in both cases one of the extortionists dropped a box either inside the store or near the front door. The boxes were filled with emergency road flares--which resemble dynamite sticks--wrapped with wires. The extortionists then called the store from a nearby pay phone, told employees to look for the “bombs,” and threatened to detonate them if cash from the register was not placed in a bag and left outside the door.

Employees complied with the request. The extortionists drove up, grabbed the cash and sped off, Sheriff’s Department spokesman Gabe Ramirez said.

Wain Scott said the cases are just two of nine extortion attempts the men apparently made over two days. Bomb squad officials said the fake bombs were not left at all stores.