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Shortly after noon on Wednesday, Aug. 17, a resident in the 3700 block of Any Road was mowing his lawn when he uncovered three suspicious items believed to be improvised explosive devices, authorities said.
A team of bomb technicians from the Office of the State Fire Marshal responded to the scene after being contacted by the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, which shut down the area of Route 543 and Taylor Road as they investigated.
“After examining the devices, bomb technicians concluded that the best course of action was to render the three devices safe,” officials said. Bomb technicians disposed of the potentially dangerous rounds on the scene.”
The team then searched the immediate area and found two more devices buried in the ground, according to the fire marshal. Bomb Technicians conducted the same action and rendered those devices safe as well without incident.
Investigators said they are still attempting to determine what the devices were, they concluded they had not been fired, and a fusing mechanism was still intact.
Due to the weathered nature of the devices, and since they appeared to be abandoned, investigators said that there was no reason to believe there was criminal intent.
No injuries were reported, officials said, and there is and was no threat to the public.
Maryland State Fire Marshal Brian Geraci praised the homeowners' mindfulness and reminded the public to practice the “three R’s" when a suspicious device is located.
"Recognize that any suspicious objects found should not be touched under any circumstances,” he said. “Retreat or carefully leave the area. Report device immediate and the approximate location to a 911 dispatcher.”
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