Carroll County Man Finds Pipe Bomb In His Mailbox

TANEYTOWN, Md. (WJZ) -- Police are trying to track down the person behind a dangerous pipe bomb found in a Carroll County mailbox.

Christie Ileto explains--right now, they have no leads.

Remnants of a mailbox lay on the 3800-block of McMullen Road in Taneytown, Carroll County Thursday.

The state fire marshal's office says a homeowner discovered a dangerous pipe bomb inside the mailbox.

"He recognized it, did not touch it," said Deputy State Fire Marshal Bruce Bouch.

The bomb squad removed the dangerous device and disposed of it, or what they call "rendering safe." But authorities say big questions remain.

"Why this was placed in the mailbox and by whom?" said Bouch.

It's unclear what the pipe bomb looked like or what exactly was used to make it.

"It can do as little damage as the destruction of a mailbox, or could severely maim an individual to the point of possible death," Bouch said.

The fire marshal's office says pipe bombs are rare in Taneytown, but they're not entirely unusual.

"The problem is that we have the access to Internet as we do and we have individuals who don't feel there should be any bounds and they make these devices not thinking about their own safety or anyone else involved," said Bouch.

Authorities say, fortunately in this case, no one on this quiet country road was hurt.

Authorities say the person responsible is staring down a $250,000 fine and up to 25 years in prison.

The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the state fire marshal's office at 410-859-7152.