ELKINS, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Deputies from the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office responded to a concerned call Monday regarding what appeared to be an explosive found in an overgrown property area behind the Happy Pet Store in Elkins.
Sheriff Elbon, along with Chief Deputy Brad Sharp, Deputy Knotts, and Deputy Davis responded to the scene, which also saw response from Troopers Spessert and Malcolm.
According to Elbon, upon arriving on the scene, authorities discovered what “looked like an old stick of dynamite sticking out of the ground.”
The item was inspected and photographed, and the ensuing photos were shown to West Virginia State Police Bomb & Explosive Technician Sgt. Tony Taylor in Preston County for analysis and guidance.
Sgt. Taylor responded in person from Preston County to inspect the item, and the scene was contained leading up to his arrival.
The item was inspected by the explosive technicians upon his arrival on the scene to determine its volatility.
What had initially been suspected to potentially be a wick and blasting cap was ultimately determined to be the bottom of a bird feeder.
Despite the item having been determined to not be a threat, Sheriff Elbon encourages those who are unsure in such situations that it is better to be safe than sorry.
“We would much rather check things out and use precautions to protect the public than for someone to get hurt,” says Elbon.
Additional LOOTPRESS coverage on local explosive threat reports can be found here.