A man discovered explosive materials in his home and drove them Friday morning to the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office in Bodo Industrial Park.
The delivery prompted an emergency response and shut down businesses along Girard Street.
La Plata County spokeswoman Sarah Jacobson said a bomb squad was called in from Farmington to dispose of the materials.
“It’s a malleable substance in a container without any ignition sources or blasting cap,” Jacobson said. “However, (deputies) did set up a perimeter around the vehicle of 300 feet in an abundance of caution, and then they called the Farmington bomb squad.”
Jacobson said the bomb squad was expected to arrive by 10 a.m. A Sheriff’s Office member with explosives experience also was working the scene.
Sheriff’s Office spokesman Chris Burke urged residents not to transport suspicious materials.
“If citizens think or suspect that they might have an explosive or an unknown substance that they think might explode, we would ask that they call us and let the Sheriff's Office come to their location and for them not to attempt to move it themselves,” Burke said.
Burke said the man acted with good intentions was not malicious.
Jacobson said transporting explosives, especially on busy roads, puts more people at risk.
“If it’s old or super explosive, sometimes even moving it can be really dangerous,” Jacobson said. “But three cheers for trying to do the right thing.”
sedmondson@durangoherald.com
