Indianapolis News and Headlines

Actions

Explosives found in Anderson mailboxes

Posted at 5:23 PM, May 29, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-29 23:47:54-04

ANDERSON, Ind. – Explosive devices were found in mailboxes Monday in Anderson.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene to investigate the four bombs found in subdivisions near Ind. 9 and County Road 500 North.

Sheriff Scott Mellinger said two bombs were first found on Sunday and then four on Monday in the same neighborhood.

Mellinger said the devices, commonly referred to as WORKS bombs, made from pop bottles with chemicals mixed inside, were placed during the late evening between 10 p.m. and midnight. 

He said the bombs resulted in damage to the four mailboxes. Police said the bombs can cause significant injuries to people within 4 to 6 feet of the explosion.

Shanda Gregg said she heard a loud noise around 10 p.m. Sunday. She found one of the bombs in her mailbox.

"The bottle that's laying out there in the road was inside my mailbox and you can tell that it's melted," said Gregg. "I'm still shooken up about it because it is scary and you know, you just never know."

Another neighbor said the explosion from her mailbox was so powerful it launched her box across the street.

Bombs placed in mailboxes is a common occurrence each spring, said Mellinger.

"These incidents seem to cycle around once per year or every other year and they should not be taken lightly. Typically it is meant to be simple vandalism but these are also extremely dangerous if a person would happen to be too close to the device when it explodes," he said.

Authorities said they are searching for a white 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier last seen in the area.