MARIETTA, Pa. — The theft of hundreds of pounds of explosives from a pipeline work site in Lancaster County is under investigation.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Gregory General Contracting Company reported that approximately 640 pounds of dynamite and 400 blasting caps were taken.
The explosives were stored in a locked truck trailer left at the site on River Road in Marietta on Friday, according to the ATF. The work site security company discovered the theft Monday after noticing the trailer door was open and the locks were missing.
The ATF is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the recovery of the stolen explosives and/or the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Here’s how you can submit a tip:
– Call the ATF hotline at 1-888-ATF-BOMB (1-888-283-2662)
– Report online
“The ATF, along with our law enforcement partners are committed to ensuring that our communities are safe and that those who violate federal explosive laws are held accountable, “ said Donald Robinson, Special Agent in Charge. “We are asking for the public’s help in our effort to apprehend and convict those responsible.”
Stealing or possessing stolen explosives is a federal crime that could come with 10 years in prison.
An ATF official is expected to be at the site on Wednesday. Investigators say they’re pursuing leads, and they’re hoping some surveillance video could lead them to suspects.
Williams Partners, which is building the pipeline, says oversight of the work site is the responsibility of the contractor, Welded Construction, and the subcontractor, Gregory General Contracting. So far, the companies haven’t returned our calls for comment.
This is the pipeline worksite where the ATF says 640 pounds of dynamite and 400 blasting caps were stolen in Marietta pic.twitter.com/4u5fGBhkl5
— Beccah Hendrickson (@Beccah6abc) April 18, 2018
Locks
ATF suggests that any padlock securing an explosives magazine have an American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) rating of at least 5 for “forcing” and “surreptitious entry.” ASTM’s publication, F883-97 “Standard Performance Specifications for Padlocks,” describes and grades various levels of performance for padlocks. Having the appropriate padlock will prevent easy access to thieves and help to thwart break-ins and robberies.
The regulations generally require:
– Two mortise locks
– Two padlocks fastened in separate hasps and staples
– Padlocks must have at least five tumblers and a casehardened shackle of at least 3/8-inch diameter
– Padlocks must be protected with no less than ¼-inch steel hoods constructed so as to prevent sawing or lever actions on the locks, hasps, and staples
– 3-point lock
– Combination of mortise lock and padlock
– Mortise lock requiring two keys to open.
“We are asking for the public’s help in our effort to apprehend and convict those responsible.”
I hope those responsible use it for a good cause.
Like blowing up a pig station or two.
They are just wondering if anyone witnessed them stealing their own explosives
Those that might come forward will be rewarded with a nice dirt nap
I’ll bet it turns up in the New York subway system!!
yeah…. a big fourth of July party in the subway.
“…..Padlocks must have at least five tumblers and a……”
No, that would be one, five-pin tumbler, bone-head. Go back to classifying “assault rifles”.