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July 17, 2008

VIDEO: Explosive device found in park

Police bomb squad called to parks office

Transcript Staff

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The Norman Police Department's bomb squad was called out Wednesday morning to investigate and detonate a suspicious device found in a central Norman park.

According to Norman Police Capt. Leonard Judy, a city parks department employee found the device attached to a barbecue grill shortly before 8 a.m. in Eastwood Park off Ponca Avenue, and took it to the Parks Maintenance office off Constitution Avenue, north of Reaves Park. Parks Department personnel called officers to that location, Judy said.

Hazardous Devices Units from NPD and the University of Oklahoma police departments examined the device and dismantled it. The remains of the devise were taken to the Norman Police Range, and a countercharge used to detonate the explosive.

Investigators said the device was manufactured by placing BBs and a fireworks charge inside a pill bottle. A cigarette was lighted and attached to a fuse, but the cigarette went out before the fuse was ignited, police said.

Three male suspects have been interviewed by police, and results of the investigation will be forwarded to prosecutors, Judy said.

Police are recommending such devices not be disturbed, but reported to 911. Officers also recommend not standing near the device to call 911, as some explosive devices are designed to be triggered by radio transmissions.

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