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TUSCOLA COUNTY, WI (WJRT) — Neighbors along a rural Tuscola County road are on edge after three pipe bombs wee found in a man’s firewood pile over the past week.
Investigators say there have also been two other explosive devices thrown on the property within the past couple of months. Police believe the suspect may have been preparing to plant a sixth bomb soon.
No one has been hurt, but police are concerned the property could be targeted again.
The most recent three pipe bombs were found in a firewood pile at a residence on Lewis Road in Tuscola County’ Arbela Township.
“If this is going on, what’s going to happen next,” said neighbor Terry Sprowl, who lives within a mile of the home.
The property owner was splitting firewood on Friday when he discovered a pipe bomb inside a log. The Michigan State Police Bomb Squad determined it was real and capable of exploding.
Police came back to the property Monday because a similar pipe bomb was found in another log. The piece of firewood was bored out, a pipe bomb was placed inside and a cap was put on the end of the log to conceal it.
“I can’t believe anyone would be that malicious against a person I’ve known so long that would help anyone that asked him,” Sprowl said.
He said the man apparently targeted by the bombs uses firewood for heat during the winter. So his concern is the man might load a piece of wood with a bomb inside into his fireplace, causing it to explode.
Luckily, the man found the three most recent bombs, but authorities say a fourth piece of wood had been tampered with and likely prepared for another bomb.
Within the past couple of months, similar pipe bombs were thrown onto the property that actually exploded but no one was hurt.
Investigators are advising people who live or drive by this area not to pick up any firewood that may be alongside the roadway. They don’t believe the public is at risk — that this property alone is being targeted — and are looking at the possibility a family feud is behind the attempted bombings.
Sprowl hopes police make an arrest soon.
“All I can do is keep my eyes open and maybe see something that is out of the norm,” he said.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Tuscola County Sheriff’s Department.
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