LONG BEACH, Wash. (AP) — Police say they have found and detonated two bombs left in downtown Long Beach, Washington.
The Chinook Observer reports the devices were found on Monday after receiving a report of a suspicious bag left near public restrooms. Police Officer Jeff Cutting found the bag contained jars filled with a gelatin material and wires. He asked dispatch to contact the State Patrol Bomb squad, which arrived four hours later.
The bombs contained shrapnel, gunshot shells and rat poison, Cutting said. They were buried in the ground and detonated.
Many locals heard the blast early Tuesday morning, including Banana Books store owner Ed Grey.
“To have that come to Long Beach is really strange. Really strange to me,” he said.
Others in town agree.
“Very strange. It’s unusual to have something like that happen around here,” said Rick Fitzgerald.
As word spread, so too did concern in the small tourist town. Police said they discovered the bag after someone called to tell them about it.
“To have something like this show up in our little town, it is troubling to see that and it’s unknown how it got here,” said Deputy Police Chief Casey Meling.
Police are asking the public for help identifying a suspect and warning people to be on the look out.
“Basically if you see something that looks suspicious and what not, it’s better to call it in," Meling said. "Better safe than sorry. Report it. Let the police determine if it’s nothing of interest or something we need to be concerned about."