ATF OFFERS $10,000 REWARD TO SOLVE EXPLOSIVES THEFT

SAN FRANCISCO –Special Agent in Charge Stephen K. Martin of the San Francisco Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announced today that ATF is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the theft of explosives from an explosives storage magazine near Stateline, Nev.

Officials of the Vanderbilt Minerals Corp., operating the Sand Hill Mine at Stateline, reported the theft May 17. The Inyo County Sheriff’s Department responded to the theft first and was joined by the Nye County Sheriff’s Department and ATF. The company reported that an explosives storage magazine had been forced open and subsequently, 270 quarter-pound cast boosters, 25 pounds of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil and 10 rolls of igniter cord were stolen. The explosives storage magazine is located in a remote area off Highway 127 near the California- Nevada border.

“ATF is deeply concerned about this theft and the potential threat to public safety,” Martin said. “We urge anyone having information about the theft to do the right thing and to come forward with information that will lead us to the recovery of these explosives.”

“We will work with our ATF and Inyo County partners to do whatever we can to locate these stolen explosives,” said Nye County Sheriff Anthony De Meo. “Working together, we have a history of recovering stolen explosives. Help us to keep the public safe, call the ATF Hotline.”

Anyone having information about the theft should immediately call 1-888-ATF-BOMB (1-888-283-2662). All calls will be kept confidential.

ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating explosives incidents. More information on ATF and its programs can be found at www.atf.gov.

 

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