– Explosives stolen from USFS facility near Red Lodge (KPAX, May 1, 2013):
RED LODGE – The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office are asking for help from the public in gathering information about the theft of approximately 559 pounds of high explosives from a USFS explosives bunker located near Red Lodge.
A press release from the ATF says that in April 2013, someone used forced entry to get into an explosives storage facility owned and operated by the U. S. Forest Service, which is located about two miles south of Red Lodge.
Officials say that various emulsion-type explosives, explosive cast boosters and detonating cord were taken from the facility.
“The theft of explosives is a top investigative priority for ATF. We are asking for the public’s help in our effort to apprehend and convict those responsible. We are confident that someone can help identify a suspect and we encourage them to call us,” ATF spokesman Ken Bray said.
A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered to anyone who provides information that leads to the recovery of the explosives and to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the theft.
Stealing explosives and possession of stolen explosives is a federal crime that is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the ATF hotline at 1.888.ATF.BOMB,the Billings ATF office at (406) 657.9700, or the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office at (406) 446.1234.