Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Improvised Explosive Devices Found



X-Ray Photo of Improvised Explosive Device
 On September 14, 2015 at approximately 11:56 PM Richland Police were dispatched to a call of a vehicle fire in the area of the 100 block of Riverwood St.  A witness who heard glass breaking came out and saw a passenger car on fire.  He discharged a fire extinguisher into the interior and knocked the fire down.  Richland firefighters finished putting the fire out.   
Responding officers found a tennis ball on the driver’s seat of the vehicle.  It appeared that the tennis ball had been filled with some type of substance that caused it to explode and ignite the interior of the vehicle.

RPD officers began searching the neighborhood and found that another window had been broken out.  They found what appeared to be an explosive device inside a pick up.  The device was the size of a ping pong ball, filled with BB’s and had nails affixed to the outside.  The device also had a partially burned fuse attached.  Officers secured the area and called for the RPD Bomb Squad and an Arson investigator.  Bomb techs were able to render the device safe.

There were a number of other vehicles (approximately 12) in the area that sustained damage to windows or the exterior. 
The investigation is continuing.  Anyone with information is asked to call Richland Police at 509-942-7340.

For additional information, contact Cpt. Mike Cobb at 509-942-7362.