Sheriff shares information on pipe bomb found in Portola on Sunday
By Debra Moore
The Plumas County Sheriff’s Office reported on May 21 that a “suspected improvised explosive device” was found near the disc golf course in Portola, just before 1 p.m. Sheriff’s personnel secured the area and requested the assistance of the Butte County Inter-Agency Bomb Squad.
The bomb squad assessed the device and then detonated it. At the time, the Sheriff’s Office announced that the incident was under investigation.
Plumas News followed up with Sheriff Todd Johns today, May 24, to see how the investigation is proceeding and to learn more details about what occurred.
Johns said that an individual was playing frisbee golf in the area and saw what looked like a flashlight among some pine needles. On closer examination, the individual saw that it looked like a pipe bomb and contacted authorities. Johns said that the placement of the device seemed to indicate that it had been there for some time.
When asked whether there was explosive material in the pipe, Johns said that the bomb squad determined that there appeared to be wet gunpowder in it, which would substantiate the theory that it had been in the area for a while — possibly from last fall through the winter. This type of explosive device detonates when the fuse is lit. When asked if it could be detonated remotely, he said that there didn’t appear to be any electronics in the pipe.
The area has been searched for other devices, but none were found. Sheriff Johns said that it’s important for the public to be vigilant and immediately report suspicious items by calling 911. Don’t go near the device.
As of now there is no suspect, and anyone with information related to this incident is urged to contact the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 283-6300.
I’m glad our sheriffs department is diligent in keeping our community safe. I would like to see our supervisor Jeff Engel apply for grants to help pay for it. Remember grants are our tax dollars returning money to us.
So happy to have the disc golf course there now to allow responsible citizens the ability to help keep that area secure. Even if just by observing and reporting. The disc golf course has done an excellent job of making that area more safe for everyone, as is evident from this incident. Really glad that no one was hurt!