ATF increases reward in Lancaster County major explosives theft
Construction of the Atlantic Sunrise pipeline in Lancaster County. (Marie Cusick/StateImpact Pennsylvania).
(Marietta) — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has doubled the reward being offered for information on a recent theft of about 704 pounds of high explosives and 400 blasting caps from a pipeline worksite in Marietta, in Lancaster County.
The ATF is now offering $20,000 for information that leads to the recovery of the stolen explosives and/or the arrest and conviction of those responsible, according to a bureau news release.
Pennsylvania State Police and the Susquehanna Regional Police Department are also involved in the case.
On Monday, April 16, the Gregory General Contracting Company reported a large theft of approximately 704 pounds of dynamite and 400 blasting caps from a pipeline worksite in Marietta.
The explosives were stored inside a locked, truck trailer which was left on site after workers left on Friday, April 13, the release states. 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 working very diligently and with a sense of urgency to recover the stolen explosives and to find those responsible for the theft, ” said Donald Robinson, Special Agent in Charge, in the release. “We are asking for the public’s help in our effort to locate these explosives and to apprehend and convict those responsible.”
A blasting cap. About 400 blasting caps were taken in the theft from a Marietta pipeline site. (Photo: The News Journal file)
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 1-888-ATF-BOMB (1-888-283-2662).
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 (link is external). All tips will be kept confidential.
ATF is the federal law enforcement agency responsible for investigating violations of the federal firearms and explosives laws and regulations. More information about ATF and its programs is available at www.atf.gov or visit ATF on Twitter or Facebook.
This story comes to us through a partnership between WITF and The Lebanon Daily News.
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