Conyers Police call synagogue bomb threat 'a hoax'

CONYERS, Ga. - The Way of Yah Synagogue in Conyers was evacuated and surrounding roadways were closed Thursday evening after a bomb threat.

The call came in just after 8:10 p.m. to the city's non-emergency line.

Conyers Police say officers brought in bomb-sniffing dogs to the house of worship, located in the 1400 block of Old McDonough Highway.

Old McDonough Highway from behind Conyers Crossing to Iris Drive was shut down while offices conducted a thorough search.

Police say the area was cleared by the Conyers Police Explosive Detection K-9.

"It appears to be a hoax. There was no danger to the public. We have deemed the area to be safe," said Conyers Police Sgt Quantavis Garcia. "We do know this could be part of another hoax that was called into another local agency in metro Atlanta."

It was not immediately clear which agency received that call.

Sgt. Garcia says investigators are working to trace the origin of the call and pledged to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.

All roadways and building have since reopened.

The threat comes a month after the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, located in Midtown, was the target of a separate bomb threat.

It also comes as unwanted antisemtic flyers continue to turn up in the driveways of residents across metro Atlanta.

Friday, at sunset, marks Rosh Hashanah, also known at the Jewish New Year. It is a time of reflection typically marked with prayers and special meals