Township police investigating two incidences involving explosives
By MELISSA FRANCISFor the Star Beacon
MADISON TOWNSHIP - - As Fourth of July weekend commences, Madison Township police are already seeing an increase in the use of explosions.
Thursday night, police were dispatched to Dock Road for a complaint of a blown-up mailbox about 11:42 p.m. Sgt. Timothy Brown said an improvised explosive device (IED) made out of a tennis ball and masking tape was found at the scene. He said remnants of the homemade bomb were sent to the Lake County Crime Lab to determine what it was made of.
Just 20 minutes later, an officer arrived at a Dorchester Drive residence for a complaint of a blown-up mailbox. Another homemade bomb blew the mailbox about 50 feet from its post.
In both incidents, no one was hurt and there are no suspects. However, police do believe they are related.
"Regularly throughout the year, we get these type of complaints," Brown said, adding that about two months ago, police investigated a pipe bomb that damaged a Ford Road mailbox. "Unfortunately, this is not uncommon."
The sounds and sights of explosives are also not uncommon Fourth of July weekend.
Although illegal, Ohioans can purchase fireworks, but must sign a purchaser form stating they will transport the fireworks out of the state within 48 hours.
According to the Ohio Department of Commerce, the only legal fireworks in Ohio are the trick and novelties (exempted 1.4G fireworks). This class of fireworks includes sparklers, snaps, glow snakes and smoke bombs.
First-time violations of fireworks laws are first-degree misdemeanors punishable up to $1,000 and six months in jail. Subsequent violations are a fifth-degree felony.
According to 2004 stats from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 9,600 people sought emergency medical treatment due to firework injuries, half of which were burns, and 40 percent were younger than age 15.
