Thread: AZ. Explosives found in desert; more possibly hidden

Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office: Explosives found in desert; more possibly hidden

By Chris ColeThe Arizona Republic-12 News Breaking News TeamTue Mar 12, 2013 9:32 AM

Authorities are searching for explosives Tuesday morning near Arizona 87 about 30 miles north of Mesa after three people found what appeared to be a canister of grenades in the desert, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

Three people walking around in the desert found a canister of ammunition Sunday near Milepost 208 on the Arizona 87. They returned Monday to the same location and found what authorities believed was a canister of grenades and a document indicating 20 additional locations in the area where explosives might be hidden, said Sgt. Brandon Jones, a spokesman for the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities began combing the area Monday night with the help of the Sheriff’s Office’s bomb squad, but the search was called off due to darkness, Jones said.

The search continued Tuesday morning, Jones said.

The area being searched is about 30 miles north of Mesa and 40 miles south of Payson.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articl...sert-abrk.html

Buried explosives found near Beeline Highway

Posted: Mar 12, 2013 8:22 AM PDT Updated: Mar 12, 2013 5:22 PM PDT

FOUNTAIN HILLS, Ariz. -
Authorities have discovered ammunition and grenades in the desert near Milepost 108 and the Beeline Highway, east of Phoenix.

Deputies have located seven ammo cans, most of which had miscellaneous explosive devices in them, including grenades, ammunition, and two handguns. The handguns were not loaded and the grenades were empty.

"These ammo cans weren't laying out. They were stuck in between large rocks and crevasses, they were shallowly buried, so it was a matter of actually having to go out and find them and then making the determination whether or not they could be opened," said Capt. John Kleinheinz, SWAT commander.

Maricopa County sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Brandon Jones says the hikers who reported finding the grenades also found several canisters with ammunition for guns.

A map of target shooting locations and an inventory list were also found in the same area off State Route 87 north of Mesa.

"I really don't have much to go off as far as who this is. We're not thinking this is a terrorist thing, or organized crime activity... it could either be a doomsday prepper or a hobbyist," said Sgt. Jones.

About 25 county and federal law enforcement officers participated in the search. The area reopened by Tuesday night.

Anyone with information on the source of the ammo cans is asked to call MCSO.

Buried explosives found near Beeline Highway