Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Nov. 21, 2019, at about 10:56 a.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was dispatched to Mad River Beach for the report of two possible explosive devices located approximately a half mile north of Mad River Beach County Park.

Deputies learned that two beach-goers located the devices while walking on the beach. The two reportedly picked up one of the devices thinking it was trash. When the subjects placed the device back onto the beach, the device ignited. The two subjects then buried the second device and called law enforcement. Fortunately, neither subject was injured from these devices.

EOD deputies responded to the beach, unearthed the second device and rendered it safe.

This case is under investigation. Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public that if you come across a suspicious object, do not pick it up or move it, but report it immediately to law enforcement.