Bend police seek tips in trip-wire bombing
In a bid for tips from the public, police revealed late Friday that a northeast Bend man received a minor injury early last month when he left his home and triggered a trip wire strung across his porch, causing a bomb to detonate.
The incident occurred around 6:45 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 1 when a man left his home in the 1500 block of NE Bear Creek Road, heading for work, said Sgt. Nick Parker.
“As the victim stepped off of his porch, he felt something brush against his leg,” Parker said. “He then heard a loud explosion and felt something hit his arm.”
An investigation found that a trip wire had been strung across the victim’s porch, Parker said. The wire led to a device that caused the explosion, he added.
The victim received only a minor arm injury from part of the device striking him, Parker said.
Parker said the victim immediately reported the incident, but police kept mum during their initial investigation.
“We now need the community’s help in solving it,” he said.
“We are not sure if he was targeted or if it was random,” Parker added. “We are looking into all possibilities to ensure a thorough investigation.”
Bend police are asking anyone with information to contact them at (541) 693-6911. You can also contact the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-877-876 TIPS or fill out a form on KTVZ.COM’s Crime Stoppers page. You can remain anonymous, and you could be eligible for a cash reward.