ATF: Amount of stolen dynamite in the midstate goes up
A blasting cap. About 400 blasting caps were taken in the theft from a Marietta pipeline site. (Photo: The News Journal file)
(Marietta) –The amount of explosives taken this past weekend from a Lancaster County drilling worksite is even greater than initially reported, according to new information from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The ATF reported Wednesday afternoon that it was determined 704 pounds of explosives were taken over the weekend from Gregory General Contracting Co. in Marietta.
The inventory confirmed 16 cases of dynamite were missing. Each case holds 40 cartridges (or sticks) weighing 1.1 pounds each. Also missing were 400 blasting caps.
Initially, it was reported Monday that 640 pounds of high explosives were stolen.
The ATF is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the recovery of the explosives and/or the arrest and conviction of those responsible, a news release stated.
Construction of the Atlantic Sunrise pipeline in Lancaster County. (Marie Cusick/StateImpact Pennsylvania).
The stolen explosives had been stored inside a locked, truck trailer which was left on site at Gregory General Contacting after workers left on Friday, April 13. The worksite security company did not discover the theft until Monday, after noticing that the trailer door was ajar with the locks missing.
“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 in the release. “We are asking for the public’s help in our effort to apprehend and convict those responsible.”
Theft 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 888-ATF-BOMB (888-283-2662). Tips can also be submitted by using the Reportit® app, available from both Google Play and the Apple App store, or by visiting www.reportit.com. All tips will be kept confidential.
The Atlantic Sunrise pipeline is slated to bring natural gas from northeastern Pennsylvania to markets across the mid-Atlantic and southeastern United States. It would pass through 10 counties in the state, including Lebanon, Lancaster, Northumberland and Schuylkill.
This story comes to us through a partnership between WITF and The Lebanon Daily News.
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