CONTACT #1: Deputy Cocha Heyden, Public Information Officer, 303-660-7586, pgr 303-826-7822 CONTACT #2:
RELEASE DATE: 09/07/07 RELEASE TIME: 3:30 pm CASE NUMBER: n/a
WHAT: Two Small Homemade Explosive Devices Found in Mail Boxes in Surrey Ridge
NARRATIVE: DOUGLAS COUNTY: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating two small homemade explosive devices found in mailboxes in the Surrey Ridge subdivision of Douglas County. Two separate incidents were reported and in both situations citizens handled the bottle found in their mailbox. Luckily no injuries were sustained. Sheriff Weaver is strongly encouraging citizens to never handle suspicious items that they discover on their property and to always call their local law enforcement.
In the first situation, reported 09/06/07 at around 12:30 pm, a citizen in the 400 block of Surrey Rd, had called to report that she found a plastic drink type bottle with liquid and tin foil in it in her mail box. She took the bottle out and put it on her front porch, then called the Sheriff’s Office. The bomb team came out and decompressed the bottle and made it safe.
In the second situation which was reported today, 09/07/07 at around 12:10 pm, a citizen in the 9200 block of Palamino Dr called to report that yesterday (09/06/07) he also found a similar type bottle in his mailbox. He noticed that the bottle was leaking a liquid. He took the bottle and threw it into his trash dumpster. The bottle then vented creating a small decompressing sound and the bottle cracked. The bomb team came out again and made the device safe.
Both plastic bottles were taken into evidence to check for fingerprints. The deputies canvassed the neighborhood and checked mailboxes in the immediate area. The Sheriff’s Office also has deputies and Community Safety Volunteers in the area letting citizens know what has happened and discussing safety precautions.
Again, Sheriff Weaver wants to stress to every citizen that even though no one was injured in these situations, these homemade devices can cause serious injuries.
“If a citizen ever comes upon some sort of device, whether it is plastic, glass, or metal and it is of a suspicious nature, do not touch it. Call local law enforcement right away. If there is some sort of suspicious item in your mailbox, do not touch it. If you have children, please discuss this important information with them as well. Even though these citizens were not injured, we want everyone to take the same precautions when it comes to suspicious items”, stated Sheriff Weaver.
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