Manitowoc Co sheriff's office gets bomb threat

MANITOWOC - Authorities are investigating a bomb threat made against the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office, and have evacuated buildings near the downtown office.

"The caller made statement of getting 'justice for Steven' in an apparent reference to Steven Avery," Manitowoc police said via Twitter.

Police, using dogs, searched the area but did not find a device. They gave the all-clear shortly after 9 p.m.

"Approximately 20 minutes to 7 tonight, a bomb threat was called in to the sheriff's department," Manitowoc City Police Capt. Larry Zimney said earlier in the night. The caller claimed "there were bombs in and around the building."

Officers and bomb-sniffing dogs were checking the area about 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, but had not found anything, Zimney said. The office is at 1025 S. Ninth St.

"​Brown County Bomb Squad K9 is on scene. No devices located thus far. MTPD and MTSO taking the threat seriously for the safety of all," Manitowoc police said via Twitter. "Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to call the Manitowoc Police Department...you can remain anonymous."

The sheriff's office has recently received significant criticism from members of the public for its handling of the investigation of the investigation of the 2005 slaying of photographer Teresa Halbach. That case has been in the public eye because of "Making a Murderer," a 10-part Netflix documentary that chronicles the trial and conviction of Manitowoc County residents Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey for Halbach's murder.

dschneid@greenbaypressgazette.com and follow him on Twitter @PGDougSchneider