No explosive devices in Nokomis investigation

Photo: PHOTO COURTESY SCOTT ROBINSON

NOKOMIS — Authorities found no explosive devices after investigating a report of possible explosives at an abandoned home in Nokomis. The home, located on S. Union Street, was near Shane Cole Memorial Park in Nokomis.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department said the Nokomis Police Department received information about possible explosive devices at the residence. Those reports would come in between Tuesday evening, Aug. 11, and early Wednesday morning, Aug. 12.

Sheriff Tyson Holshouser said law enforcement personnel spent more than three hours in Nokomis on Wednesday afternoon investigating the report.

Nokomis Police Department, the Illinois Secretary of State Police Bomb Squad and the Federal Bureau of Investigation responded to investigate. Authorities obtained a search warrant through the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office and established a perimeter around the property.

Officials advised nearby residents to evacuate or shelter in place while the investigation continued. City officials said the increased law enforcement presence was precautionary and that there was no active threat to the community.

Bomb squad personnel and FBI agents systematically searched the exterior and interior of the abandoned residence. During the search, authorities removed items that appeared similar to pipe bombs.

Investigators analyzed the items and determined they were non-explosive. Holshouser said the items appeared to be old ham radio antenna equipment.

“But to the untrained eye, it absolutely resembled a pipe bomb,” Holshouser said.

The Sheriff’s Office said no explosive devices or explosive materials were found anywhere on the property.

The investigation has concluded, and all affected roadways have reopened.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office thanked residents for their cooperation and patience. The agency also recognized the Nokomis Police Department, Illinois Secretary of State Police Bomb Squad, FBI, Montgomery County Emergency Management, Montgomery County State’s Attorney Brian Shaw, Nokomis Fire and Ambulance, and other personnel who assisted with the response.

Jake Leonard, Executive Editor-In-Chief

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.

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