On August 9, 2022, at approximately 0933 hours, while a CalTrans road crew was working along Highway 395 East near Johnstonville Quality Foods, they found a suspicious package in a ditch. Lassen County Sheriff’s Office deputies and sergeants responded. Upon inspection of the package, the decision was made to evacuate nearby businesses and close a small portion of Highway 395 East. California Highway Patrol officers arrived on scene and initiated the highway closure. The Washoe County Consolidated Bomb Squad was contacted and requested to respond.
At approximately 1200 hours, Washoe County Consolidated Bomb Squad personnel arrived on scene and began utilizing robots to examine the package. After close inspection, the package was determined to be a homemade explosive device. Inside a wrapped t-shirt and masking tape was an aluminum can containing a cylindrical explosive device with a fuse. Electrical wiring, broken glass, glass gemstones, and crushed sea shells were filled around the aluminum can. The package was made safe by bomb technicians and collected for disposal.
The Lassen County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the public and business owners for their understanding related to the evacuations and highway closure. Further, the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the time and resources efforted by the California Highway Patrol, Susan River Fire Department, Cal Trans, and the Washoe County Consolidated Bomb Squad. Last, but surely not least, great work by our Lassen County Sheriff’s deputies and sergeants for responding quickly and ensuring the safety of the public and nearby businesses.
Lt Dave Woginrich
Lassen County Sheriff’s Office
