Explosives in mailboxes and garbage turn out to be fireworks
Published on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, 1:57 p.m.
- An example of the fireworks discovered in mailboxes and trash cans along NC Highway 152 West and Brown Road on Wednesday.
On Wednesday morning, officers from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, Criminal Investigation Department and Cabarrus County Bomb Disposal Squad were on North Carolina Highway 152 following reports of an explosion believed to be fireworks.
At 10:33 a.m., RCSO spokesman Captain Mark McDaniel said, “Officers received a report of an explosion inside a mailbox at a residence in the 1800 block of NC Hwy. 152 West near China Grove.”
The homeowner told investigators that as he turned away from his mailbox, he heard an explosion and when he turned around, he found that his mailbox had only minor damage. Officers then found a second explosive device in a mailbox that was right next to the first explosion.
At the same time, residents on Brown Road, about a mile away, reported hearing a loud noise in the area. Officers from the China Grove Police Department discovered a trash can near the road that had debris and charring that indicated some sort of small explosion.
The bomb disposal team confirmed that the remaining explosive device that did not detonate was in fact a firework mortar, which can be legally purchased in states where fireworks are legal. The firework was collected by investigators as evidence.
Early Wednesday morning, officers received reports that a vehicle was driving through the area and the occupants were throwing fireworks from the vehicle.
The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Detective Greer at 704-216-8687 or Rowan County Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-JAIL (5245).
There is currently no known immediate threat to the community, but residents are urged to call 911 if they find anything unusual or suspicious in their mailboxes or trash cans and not to touch it.
