By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
A LIVE homemade pipe bomb with the potential to explode and kill was found by a passer-by at the Eddie Barron Reserve in Berwick last week.
The bomb, which was covered in fireworks, sparklers and had two gas cylinders attached to it, was picked up by a resident at 4.35pm on Saturday 12 December and taken to Narre Warren police station.
Detective Senior Sergeant Rodney Maroney said the bomb had the potential to explode and cause serious damage if it had been dropped.
“The bomb response team was immediately called because it was quite obvious that it was pretty dangerous,” Sen Sgt Maroney said.
The bomb was detonated at the station by an Arson and Explosives Unit robot.
Sen Sgt Maroney said it was a dangerous incident.
“The member of the public was very diligent but it was very dangerous to pick up the bomb and transport it to a police station,” he said.
“By bringing it in it puts police and members of the public who might be in the station in danger.”
“It was made to go bang and had the potential to kill if someone was standing by it.”
The incident is currently under investigation but Sen Sgt Maroney said it may have been made by children.
“They might have got scared, left it and fled,” he said.
“It’s so easy to make these things these days with the internet but we want to use this as an example to remind people to call us, don’t stand over it and move away if they come across one of these.”
“People aren’t always aware that radio and mobile devices can set these things off and there’s a whole host of things the community wouldn’t be aware of safety wise.”
Anyone with information on the burglary is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
