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Maine State House not evacuated until hours after bomb threat was sent, police said

Capitol Police Chief Matt Clancy told NEWS CENTER Maine his team was "taxed" that day, despite having additional resources.

AUGUSTA, Maine — We are learning more about the emailed bomb threat hoax that led to the evacuation of the Maine State House in Augusta last week. 

The emailed threat also sent to capitol buildings across the country went out at 8:30 a.m. last Wednesday, according to capitol police, but the State House wasn't evacuated for another six hours.

As many as 2,500 people were there that day for the start of the legislative session Jan. 3.

Capitol Police Chief Matt Clancy told NEWS CENTER Maine his team was "taxed" that day, despite having additional resources. 

Clancy said police were not made aware of the threat until 1:45 p.m. However, he said and other law enforcement leaders were aware of threats in other states. An alert to evacuate was sent out 30 minutes later. 

After a sweep of the building, the all-clear went out just 45 minutes later. 

Clancy said many of the people gathered for two rallies Wednesday morning had cleared out of the building by the time of the evacuation. 

Members of the State House Facilities Committee voiced frustrations about the lack of communication and response. 

"I feel their pain and frustration," Clancy said. "Communications systems weren't what they should have been." 

Clancy said legislators and capitol police are discussing ways to improve communication and continuing strengthening security infrastructure at the facility, including adding screening to the adjacent Cross Building. 

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