A Las Vegas man is facing felony charges after investigators say he threatened to blow up a Costco store in southern Utah unless minority and homosexual employees were fired.
Authorities in Washington County, Utah, have issued an arrest warrant for 46-year-old Ramchand Rattan in connection with a series of threatening phone calls made to a Costco location in St. George.
According to court documents, the calls included racial slurs, threats of violence, and references to explosives.
Allegations
Prosecutors say employees at the Costco located at 835 N. 3050 East in St. George received four separate phone calls from a man making threatening statements.
Investigators allege the caller used offensive language targeting Black and homosexual employees while demanding that store management terminate them.
Court records state the caller threatened to “blast the place,” “light them up like a BBQ,” and send people to the store “to handle it.”
The arrest warrant also alleges the caller warned that if the employees were not removed, he would “blow up the place.”
Authorities said the threats caused concern among employees and prompted an investigation by local law enforcement.
Charges
Rattan was formally charged Thursday in 5th District Court.
| Charge | Classification |
|---|---|
| Threat of Terrorism | Second-degree felony |
| Electronic Communication Harassment | Class B misdemeanor |
Under Utah law, making threats involving violence or terrorism can result in significant criminal penalties, particularly when threats target public businesses or large gatherings of people.
Officials have not announced whether Rattan has been taken into custody.
Investigation
Detectives said they traced the threatening phone calls back to Rattan through investigative methods connected to the phone number allegedly used during the calls.
Court filings also state that the same number was connected to another incident in May 2025 involving threatening and racially charged calls directed at a Ford dealership in St. George.
Authorities have not released additional information about the earlier dealership incident or whether separate charges were filed in that case.
Investigators continue reviewing evidence related to the Costco threats.
Statements
According to the arrest warrant, police interviewed a friend of Rattan during the investigation.
The friend reportedly told detectives that Rattan “may suffer from an undiagnosed mental illness” and claimed he had engaged in similar behavior previously.
Court documents also state the individual recalled Rattan making biased remarks in the past involving African Americans and homosexuals.
Law enforcement officials have not publicly commented on whether mental health evaluations may become part of future court proceedings.
Security
Threats directed at businesses and public locations are typically treated seriously by law enforcement agencies due to concerns about public safety and potential escalation.
Even when investigators later determine there was no immediate capability to carry out a threat, authorities often pursue criminal charges because of the disruption and fear such incidents can create.
Retail stores, schools, hospitals, and government buildings have increasingly become the focus of threat investigations involving phone calls, online messages, or social media activity.
Community
The allegations have drawn attention in St. George, one of Utah’s fastest-growing cities and a major commercial center in the southern part of the state.
Costco stores often serve large numbers of customers daily, making threats against such locations especially concerning for employees and shoppers.
Authorities have not indicated whether the store was evacuated during the investigation or whether additional security measures were implemented following the calls.
The case also highlights ongoing concerns regarding hate-based threats targeting workers because of race or sexual orientation.
Court
As of the latest court filings, an arrest warrant remains active for Rattan.
Future court proceedings are expected to determine whether additional evidence or charges will be presented by prosecutors.
Officials have not announced a court appearance date.
The investigation remains ongoing.
FAQs
Who is accused in the Utah Costco threat case?
Police identified the suspect as Ramchand Rattan.
What threats were allegedly made?
The caller allegedly threatened to blow up Costco.
Where is the Costco located?
The store is located in St. George, Utah.
What charges were filed?
Felony terrorism threat and harassment charges.
Did police connect the suspect to other incidents?
Yes, investigators cited a similar 2025 case.
