Police Detonate Suspected Explosive Device in The Dalles

An OSP explosive technician renders the object safe in aluminum plant parking lot.

Oregon State Police Senior Trooper Wagner detonating device. OSP Photo

(THE DALLES) - An Oregon State Police explosives technician commended Northwest Aluminum employees for their handling of a suspicious, potential explosive object on plant property in The Dalles. The object was rendered safe Wednesday morning.

Oregon State Police were contacted Tuesday afternoon, after Northwest Aluminum employees found a suspicious object while in the process of dismantling the old aluminum plant.

While digging up pavement in the old employee parking lot, they uncovered a large boulder that had a bore hole in it and two blasting cap leg wires protruding from it. Suspecting that the boulder may contain explosives the employees contacted the OSP office in The Dalles.

The area was secured and the OSP explosives disposal unit was contacted. On Wednesday morning about 10:30 AM, explosive technicians rendered the device safe by detonating a small explosives charge. Senior Trooper Dennis Wagner of the OSP East Region Bomb Squad commended the employees for their handling of the discovery. "Employees at the aluminum plant did everything right. If someone finds a suspicious item they believe may contain explosives they should not disturb it, but should instead notify the police immediately," said Wagner. More information about the OSP Arson & Explosive Section, including information about the Bomb Squad and explosives, is available at oregon.gov/OSP/AES/Explosives_Section.shtml. This site has several photographs and useful information related to these types of calls.