Police: No Bomb Threat at 'Anti-Obama' Clothing Store

Police on Wednesday quelled rumors of a purported bomb threat against a Spring Lake clothing store owner who has come under fire for a window display featuring President Barack Obama as a witch doctor. 

Early Wednesday morning police investigated Skuby & Co. clothing store on Third Avenue and determined a phone call made to the store's owner, Bill Skuby, was nothing more than a practical joke from one of his friends, Spring Lake Police Chief Edward Kerr said. 

Skuby said he's been fielding death threats and unfairly labeled a racist after a media firestorm erupted Tuesday morning surrounding his anti-Obama window display, which, he says, is nothing more than a political Halloween decoration. 

Police and the Spring Lake Fire Department responded to the scene at roughly 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, and investigators determined there was no credible threat, Kerr said. 

"It turns out it was a friend of the store owner," Kerr said. 

Skuby notified police immediately after receiving a phone call in which the voice on the other end told him: "Check your store," Kerr said. 

The friend later told investigators that he assumed Skuby recognized his voice and knew it was a ruse, Kerr said. 

"It was just a bad joke," Kerr said. 

No criminal charges were filed during the investigation, Kerr said. 

Sgt. Steve Blecki and Patrolman Mike Palmer were the first on scene, Kerr said.