On February 9, 2017, just after 2:30 p.m., Yavapai County Sheriff deputies were dispatched to milepost 1 on Outer Loop Road outside of Chino Valley, Arizona, regarding a suspicious device. A man contacted the Sheriff’s Office after finding what appeared as a small pipe bomb alongside Outer Loop Road while picking up litter.
Upon arrival, deputies confirmed the device was likely a pipe bomb and secured the area. The device, with an exposed wire and wrapped in tape, measured about 4” long by 1 1/2” diameter. .
Deputies maintained a safety zone and requested assistance from the Department of Safety Bomb Squad to check the device. DPS bomb technicians arrived just before 5:00 p.m. following a drive from Phoenix. They set up a water based charging instrument which struck the device with a high pressure blast of water. The goal was to get the device to react and explode or render it disarmed under controlled conditions. Ultimately the device did not explode and was rendered safe.
The origin of the device is unknown. Based on the condition as found, it appeared the device had been in place for some time.
Anyone with information about the device may contact the Sheriff’s Office at 928-771-3260 or Yavapai Silent Witness at 1800-932-3232. Refer to case number 17-004976.