Palm Desert Skechers store evacuated due to suspicious device

(Google Maps)

The bomb squad as called to a Palm Desert shoe store Wednesday night to investigate a “suspicious device.”

Police were called to the Skechers Factory Outlet store on Town Center Way at about 6:45 pm because of a man believed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, a sheriff’s department spokesman told the Desert Sun.

Employees told KESQ that a man came into the store and was being chased by a plainclothes police officer. The man then attempted to barricade himself inside the store office with an employee, but the officer was able to get the door open.

The suspicious device was spotted inside a bag brought to the store by the man.

The bomb squad determined the package was not a bomb and the man was arrested.

The suspect attempted to barricade himself inside the store office with an employee, but the officer was able to get the door open and the employee escaped unharmed.