Explosive Type Device Confiscated

Sonora, CA — A suspicious item was found yesterday afternoon on a fire hydrant along East Lyons/Bald Mountain Road in Sonora.

A portion of the roadway was closed down for a couple of hours while officers examined a cylinder shaped device with a pull pin. It was found to be a military type practice device that would have made a loud noise if detonated, similar to ¼ to ½ stick of dynamite. However, it would have had little shrapnel output if detonated. An investigation is ongoing into who is responsible for leaving the device.

The item was located by members of the Tuolumne Utilities District, who then contacted the Sonora PD. The Sonora Fire Department and Calaveras County Bomb squad were called in to assist. The location is near the entrance into the Blackberry Oaks Apartment complex. It was located at 1:41pm.