CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. — After a social media post encouraging people to meet at the Crestview Hill Town Center to riot and loot stores made the rounds Saturday, police shut down the shopping center and blocked the property with officers from multiple agencies in the area.
Police said the threat was posted to Instagram, but was removed when officials requested the social media company pull it down -- but screenshots of the post continued to circulate on other social media platforms throughout the day.
"I believe the exact quote was 'riot on June 6th to raid the Crestview Hills Town Center at 9 p.m.,'" said Sergeant Mike Paolucci, with the Lakeside Park-Crestview Hills Police.
He said they don't yet know who posted the threat -- whether it was a prank from children, or meant seriously. Paolucci said police are still looking into the origins of the post.
Some business owners boarded their businesses up at the end of the evening, when they closed early at 8 p.m., just to be safe.
"I own a business," said Peter Le, owner of Glamour Nails in the shopping complex. "I work hard for this. So, that's why I want to protect myself and my business."
Police said, by 11 p.m., no attempts to riot or damage property have been made, but it's unclear how long into the evening they will continue to stand guard.
