Explosive devices in mailbox, trash turn out to be fireworks

Midmorning Wednesday had Rowan County Sheriff’s deputies, the Criminal Investigtion Division and the Cabarrus County bomb squad out on N.C. Hwy. 152 after reports of an explosion that turned out to be fireworks.

At 10:33 am, RCSO Public Information Officer Captain Mark McDaniel said “deputies received a report of an explosion inside a mailbox at a residence in the 1800 block of N.C. Hwy. 152 West near China Grove.”

The homeowner told investigators that when he turned away from his mailbox, he heard an explosion, and turned around to find his mailbox had suffered minor damage. Deputies then found a second device in a mailbox that was right beside the initial explosion.

At the same time, residents on Brown Road, approximately one mile away, reported hearing a loud noise in the area. Officers with the China Grove Police Department located a trash can near the roadway that appeared to have debris and charring consistent with some type of small explosion.

The bomb squad confirmed that the remaining device, which had not detonated, was actually a firework mortar that can be legally purchased in states where fireworks are legal. The firework was collected by investigators for evidence.

Earlier Wednesday morning, deputies had received reports of a vehicle driving through the area and occupants throwing some type of fireworks from the vehicle.

Rowan County Sheriff’s office asks anyone with information on this incident to contact Detective Greer at 704-216-8687, or Rowan County Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-JAIL (5245).

At this time, there is no immediate known threat to the community, but residents are encouraged to call 911 if they find anything unusual or suspicious in their mailboxes or garbage cans and do not touch it.

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