Authorities seek ammonium nitrate stolen near Utah-Arizona border

ST. GEORGE, Utah -- Dozens of bags of ammonium nitrate, an ingredient that can be used to make explosives, were stolen from a construction site near the Utah-Arizona border, police said.


Ammonium nitrate is used in construction and in farm fertilizers. The stolen material is considered inert, but police are checking local businesses for sales of other compounds that, when mixed with ammonium nitrate, could make a bomb.

"We're looking at all possibilities and hoping it's none of them," St. George police Sgt. Craig Harding said. "We're looking at kids and criminal mischief up to terrorists."

The bags, 30 pounds to 50 pounds, were stolen in October and February from a locked storage facility, Harding said.

Police have no evidence that terrorism may have motivated the thefts, but an FBI terrorism task force in Salt Lake City has been notified. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is also investigating.

"Who's got a need for this? Why would they want this stuff? That's what piques our interest," said Lori Dyer, an agent in charge of the ATF's Salt Lake City office.

Police have no suspects but found tire tracks at the site, Harding said. The ATF is offering a reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

Security at the construction site has been increased.

Information from: Deseret Morning News, http://www.deseretnews.com

http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=6205424