WEST PLAINS, Mo. – On Monday, January 6 at approximately 6:03 PM, individuals made contact with Officers at the West Plains Police Department. The subjects told Officers that they discovered a suspicious device in a ditch, in the 700 block of Olive Street that appeared to be an explosive device. The individuals indicated they transported the item to the Police Department in their personal vehicle.
Officers observed the device that consisted of two cylinders, wrapped in black electrical tape, having wicks coming from the ends of the cylinders. The device was moved to the far northern parking lot of the Police Facility away from any structures.
Contact was made with the Missouri State Highway Patrol Bomb Squad in Troop F that indicated they would be responding to West Plains to assist in the investigation. Investigators with the West Plains Police Department responded and investigated the suspicious event along with members of the West Plains Fire Department.
Investigation revealed that subjects found a box of Firework Mortar Rounds in a dumpster behind a business and removed them from a dumpster. A subject then wrapped two of the mortar rounds together for a “larger” bang when it was located by another individual who thought it was a bomb and threw it in a ditch. Members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol rendered the devices safe so they could be processed as evidence pending further investigation.
The case is ongoing to determine if criminal charges are to be sought. The West Plains Police Department wanted to thank members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the West Plains Fire Department for assisting in the incident.
