Four ‘bottle bombs’ found near Sherwood school

Four improvised explosive devices, commonly known as “bottle bombs,” were found in the parking lot of a Sherwood middle school Wednesday and rendered safe by an explosives unit, police said.

A school administrator called police after seeing the suspicious devices at about 11 a.m. near the Laurel Ridge Middle School in the community south of Portland, police said.

From a distance, officers said they could see the bottles were partially filled with a liquid and also contained aluminum foil.

The area was contained and the Metro Explosive Disposal Unit (MEDU) was requested and responded. They “disrupted” (detonated) two of the bottles, while the other two appeared to have malfunctioned when the suspects tried detonating them, officers said.

Area residents may have heard loud explosions when the two bombs were disrupted, they said.

Police noted “an alarming trend the past few years with improvised explosives like ‘bottle bombs’ being made and left lying in areas where people could pick them up and activate the ingredients, causing an explosion.”

They said the devices “are easily made with everyday household items and are very dangerous.” And they reminded citizens to “never touch any odd-looking or suspicious plastic bottles that has any liquid in it, as they could pose serious danger.

Any person who comes across such a bottle should immediately dial 911 and request police response. police said.

Police said they were actively investigating this case and sought any help the public may have in identifying those responsible for the manufacturing of the devices