Suspicious device found at Salvation Army store
Item resembling bomb prompts store’s evacuation
Originally published November 9, 2009 at 9:32 p.m., updated November 10, 2009 at 10:41 a.m.
Video
Salvation Army Bomb Scare
A device resembling a homemade bomb was reported to be inside the Salvation Army Thrift Store on Wenatchee Avenue this afternoon at about 4:40. A bomb squad from Yakima was called in to disable it. The area was declared safe at about 7:30 p.m.
WENATCHEE — Police say a device resembling a homemade bomb was found outside the Salvation Army store at about 4:40 p.m. Monday.
Wenatchee police evacuated 20 to 30 people from the store in the 1500 block of North Miller Street. They also shut down Miller for more than two hours. No one was injured and a bomb squad from the U.S. Army base in Selah took the device apart without incident, said Sgt. Stephyne Silvestre.
A Salvation Army employee found the device inside a large appliance on the side of the building where donations are accepted, Silvestre said. She did not know the type of appliance.
The employee took the device inside the store, put it under the cash register and called for help, Silvestre said. Silvestre said the materials included a PVC pipe loaded with nails, a fuse and an M-80 explosive. The man who found it told police he thought the fuse looked like someone had tried to light it, Silvestre said.
No notes or letters were found with the appliance or the device, Silvestre said.
Silvestre said police have no suspects.
Rachel Schleif: 664-7139
schleif@wenatcheeworld.com
Comments
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Cactus (Jerry Patterson) says...
""The employee took the device inside the store, put it under the cash register and called for help""
They did WHAT!? No offense intended but why in the world would you even handle, much less bring what you think is a pipe bomb inside the store!?
November 9, 2009 at 10:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Goldy (G oldy) says...
Why would anyone want to harrass the Salvation Army?? I for one, am extremely greatful for them. It gives me a place to take clothes that have gotten too big for me, as well as kids clothes they have outgrown (and still in great shape) and hoping that someone will find these items and enjoy them. Plus the outreach the Salvation Army provides to this community each December with their toy give away.
November 10, 2009 at 9:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lurker_berserker (Lurker Berserker) says...
nice use of video in a no local tv town
November 10, 2009 at 10:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jenm (jen m) says...
sad story...but bringing the thing inside...really uh hello what the heck?
November 10, 2009 at 10:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )