Crime & Safety
Explosives Missing from Detroit-Bound Train Recovered: ATF [UPDATED]
Explosives, similar to commercial grade fireworks, stolen from train that left Chicago and traveled through Ohio before arriving in Detroit.
UPDATE 4:45 p.m., April 23
DETROIT, MI - Authorities have recovered the nearly 500 pounds of commercial grade fireworks stolen from a CSX freight train.
Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives spokeswoman Ginger Colbrun told USA Today reporter Kevin Johnson authorities were able to recover the 30 cases of commercial fireworks acting on a tip. The material was possibly taken during the train's stopover in Ohio.
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The fireworks, which were discovered missing Thursday, could have been dangerous in the hands of inexperienced people, Colbrun said.
No arrests have been made.
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Original Report Below
DETROIT, MI – A CSX freight train rolled into Detroit earlier this week minus about 32 cases of explosives, and federal authorities say they’re concerned they may have fallen into the wrong hands.
Federal authorities are searching for the approximately 500 pounds of commercial grade explosives in at least three states. The theft was reported two days ago, but wasn’t made public, CBS reported Friday.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was expected to issue an advisory and offer a reward in the coming days, CBS said.
The train left Chicago with the explosives intact and traveled through Ohio before arriving in Detroit, where the theft of half of the cargo was discovered.
Donald Dawkins, a spokesman for the Detroit Field Division of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, told the Detroit Free Press the explosives — shells between 2½ and 5 inches long — are similar to aerial fireworks, and emphasized “there is nothing to indicate any acts of terrorism at this time.”
But authorities are treating the investigation seriously, Dawkins said.
The ATF’s Detroit Field Division is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Detroit Police Department and the CSX railroad.
Dawkins said the investigation so far is leading investigators to believe the theft likely occurred in Detroit.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call ATF's Detroit offices at (313) 202-3400.
Image credit: Don O’Brain via Flickr / Creative Commons
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