UPDATE: Pipe bomb situation now over in Merced. The Bomb squad wrapped up its investigation just before 2:00 pm Friday. “Thankfully, the Merced Police Department Bomb Squad came out with a robot, we were able to x-ray it, determine it wasn’t a danger, and then once we opened it up we were able to determine it was filled with marijuana,” said Merced Sheriff Deputy Daryl Allen (photo below).
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Merced County Sheriff’s deputies are responding to a report of pipe bomb in front of the Merced County fire station.
The station is located at Highway 165 & 3rd Avenue.
Just after 11:00 a.m. Friday, the Sheriff’s Office received a call that someone may have dropped off a pipe bomb in front of the station.
Deputy Daryl Allen says the area has been evacuated, and is telling people to avoid the whole area.
A bomb squad will investigate.
The Merced CHP is handling traffic control and has blocked off the area for the next several hours.