COLUMBUS, Ind. — A Kentucky man was arrested after a pipe bomb was found inside a car in a Columbus neighborhood Tuesday.
Shortly before noon Nov. 14, Columbus Police Department officers responded to the 700 block of 13th Street, near Pearl Street, for a report of a possible explosive device. Police say the homemade bomb was found in a storage compartment of a work truck.
"This one here in particular could've caused a lot of damage," Columbus Police Lt. Matt Harris said. "We don't believe it was placed in the truck in an effort to harm somebody. We believe it was placed in the truck by somebody who had previously been in possession of it."
Columbus police arrested the suspect for possession of a dangerous device after someone found the bomb in his work truck. Investigators believe he was part of a work crew in the area.
NOTE: 13News does not name suspects in cases until formal charges are filed by prosecutors.
Court records show investigators also found a drug ledger in the truck and believe the suspect was dealing narcotics. He allegedly told police the bomb was filled with gunpowder and an explosive oxidizer.
"The device was transported to an off-site location, where it was disposed of by our bomb squad, who remarked it was an extremely dangerous device," Harris said.
"The truck was literally parked right here next to my vehicle," said Maria Burton, whose home is feet from where the bomb was found.
She came home Tuesday after a long day of work to find an officer telling her to quickly get back.
"I said, 'What's going on?' He said, 'There's a pipe bomb, but we got it under control, but you can't go in,'" said Burton, who is thankful nobody, including the dogs inside her house, were hurt. "I'm just like, 'Wow. That's right next to my house, that could blow up and with my animals in the home.'"
During their investigation, officers arrested a 32-year-old man from Whitley City, Kentucky. The man was taken to the Bartholomew County Jail, where he was arrested on a preliminary charge of possession of a destructive device. Police said additional charges may be filed.
The incident is under investigation.