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Family calls 911 over suspicious package, which bomb squad finds is anonymous gift
9-1-1 in the News, Community | Caitlin | December 23, 2011 at 10:34 am
CANBY, OR — A family on South Manzanita Court got quite a scare today when they found a gift-wrapped package with no labels on their front porch. With last week’s fatal pipe-bomb blast fresh in their minds, they called 9–1-1, drawing a squad of police and explosives technicians.
But the gift turned out to be just that — a gift.
“Actually, it was a personal gift from an unknown giver,” said Police Chief Bret Smith. “Our officers and a member of the Metro Explosives Disposal Unit determined there was nothing explosive at all.”
On Dec. 11, 31-year-old Ivan Velasco Rodriguez of Canby opened a toolbox sitting in a long driveway on Northeast 22nd Avenue, triggering a deadly pipe bomb hidden within. He died of brain injuries soon afterward.
A team of federal, state, county and local investigators has gathered more than 500 pieces of evidence from the blast, including several new items recovered Wednesday. The team is interviewing witnesses and area residents in hopes of determining who planted the bomb and why.
Meanwhile, a $5,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of whoever made or placed the pipe bomb. Tips can be called in to a special line: 800-800-3855.
Smith said the family that received the package was correct in calling authorities about any suspicious packages.
But he added that somewhere, a Secret Santa may be hanging his head.
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