Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Oct. 4, 2022, at about 7:40 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a business on the 39000 block of State Highway 299 in Willow Creek for the report of a possible explosive device.

The reporting party told deputies that she had been in possession of the device for some time and wanted to safely dispose of it. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team was dispatched to investigate. Upon inspecting the device, deputies discovered that it was a live improvised explosive device. Due to the composition of the device and proximity to hazards, adjacent businesses were temporarily evacuated while the device was rendered safe.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public that if you see something suspicious or out of place in your neighborhood, do not touch or move it, but contact your local law enforcement.

Anyone with information about 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.