Explosive Device Found in Rice County Northfield Township Ditch

Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn is requesting public assistance with catching the culprit who placed an explosive device in a ditch in the 10000 block of Hall Avenue in Northfield Township.

Dunn says in a news release the call came in about 3:47 p.m. Thursday reporting they saw the suspicious item in the ditch between Sumac Lane and Huron Court in Northfield Township.  Northfield Police initially responded bevause it was on the border of the city limits.

"Upon arrival, officers located what appeared to be an explosive device consistent to a pipe bomb in the east ditch of Hall Avenue.  Northfield PD and Rice County deputies secured the area until the St. Paul Bomb Squad arrived."

The Rice County Sheriff's Office News Release goes on to report, "Upon further investigation, bomb squad personnel confirmed that the device did contain explosive materials.  The device was rendered safe by Bomb Squad personnel and photographs were taken."

Dunn says, "If anyone has information about this or saw anything in the area recently, you are asked to contact the Rice County Sheriff's Office Investigations Unit at 507-334-4391 or Northfield Police Department at 507-645-4475."