Sheriff's Office investigating chemical bombs found in abandoned vehicle
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EVANSTON — Several improvised chemical pressure bombs were found in and around an abandoned vehicle near Evanston on Friday, June 9, requiring assistance from the Sweetwater County Bomb Squad in order for the scene to be declared safe.
According to the Uinta County Sheriff’s Office, the vehicle was reported after a man noticed it near a stock pond on his land about a mile north of County Road 108 (the landfill road), a week earlier.
Deputies investigated the scene and found one bomb in the vehicle and three others in the area, all of which were detonated by the bomb squad. One bomb had exploded and damaged the car, which the Sheriff’s Office said appeared to be of little value.
Sheriff Doug Matthews said they don’t have a lot of information, but his office is conducting an investigation. He said they think it was probably some kids just messing around.
The Sheriff’s Office warned about such improvised bombs, however.
“Improvised chemical bombs are commonly made using flimsy containers like plastic soda bottles,” states a post from the Uinta County Law Enforcement Services Facebook page. “A liquid such as toilet or drain cleaner is poured into the bottle and other substances are introduced to cause a chemical reaction.”
That reaction can cause the container to explode, sending dangerous chemicals to surrounding areas.
“Improvised chemical bombs are extremely dangerous,” the Facebook post states.
When, as in this case, toilet cleaner is used, one dangerous chemical that is involved in an explosion is hydrochloric acid, which is corrosive to the eyes, skin and mucous membranes, according to the post. It can also cause severe respiratory tract irritation and pulmonary edema (excess fluid in the lungs).
According to Wyoming Statute 6-3-111, “Any person who possesses, manufactures, transports, sells or delivers to another person any explosive, improvised explosive device, or incendiary apparatus, with the intent to cause injury or damage to the property of another … or with the intent to assist another person to do the same, is guilty of a felony.”
If convicted, the crime carries a sentence of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
