The Pacific County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) is asking for the public’s help after deputies discovered and safely disposed of what appeared to be a homemade explosive device along a roadside in Chinook on Sunday afternoon.

According to PCSO, at approximately 4:16 p.m. on October 12, deputies were dispatched to the 100 block of Chinook Valley Road following reports of a suspicious item found on the shoulder of the roadway. Upon arrival, deputies confirmed the object appeared to be a homemade pipe bomb.

Due to the potential danger, the responding deputy immediately secured the area and contacted a supervisor. The Washington State Patrol (WSP) Bomb Squad was called in to evaluate the device.

Highly trained WSP bomb technicians examined the object and determined it was a viable explosive. Following safety protocols, the team safely transported the device from the location and ensured it was properly disposed of.

The Pacific County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to the WSP Bomb Squad for their swift response and assistance in identifying and safely removing the explosive, preventing any risk to the public.

Authorities are now asking anyone with information about the device or how it ended up on the roadside to come forward.