Salem Police Bomb Squad Investigating Fake Explosive Device

The hoax led to the evacuation of three apartment buildings and several other nearby buildings, with 60-100 people temporarily displaced.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem's Police Bomb Squad was activated today over a report of a large explosive device that was found near a South Salem apartment complex. What appeared to be an explosive device, as it turns out, was a fake bomb created to look like convincingly real, according to Salem Police Lt. Dave Okada.

The call came through at 9:00 AM from the apartment complex on Liberty Road S, where the suspicious device was observed on a garbage can. Okada says the device, "was comprised of several tubes that resembled sticks of dynamite with an electronic detonator placed among the sticks and a timing device on top".

He says the initial responding officers immediately secured the area and contacted the Bomb Squad.

"Three apartment buildings and several other nearby buildings were evacuated as the bomb squad responded, with 60-100 people being temporarily displaced."

Okada says Liberty Road was closed between Salem Heights Avenue S and Madrona Avenue S and although no schools were in immediate danger, notification was made to the School District to ensure that students remained safe.

"The Bomb Squad utilized their remote-control robot to first observe the device, and by all appearances it looked authentic. The robot was then used to disrupt the device and render it safe from being detonated."

It was only after close examination Okada says, that the Bomb Squad found that all parts of the device were commercially manufactured imitation parts that were assembled to look like a live bomb.

Liberty Road was opened up to normal traffic at approximately 12:00 pm, and those evacuated were allowed to return to their homes. The investigation is continuing as to the origin of the device.