PIPE BOMB FOUND IN STUDENT'S CAR

Sweep Of Parking Lot Nets Narcotic Residues

STILLWATER During a sweep for drugs in the parking lot of Stillwater
Area High School on Thursday morning, police found a pipe bomb in the
glove compartment of a student's car.

The 17-year-old Stillwater boy could face felony charges of possessing
an explosive device and bringing a dangerous weapon on school
property, said Oak Park Heights Police Chief Lindy Swanson. The
student, a senior, has been suspended, he said.

The homemade pipe bomb was made of copper tubing and was about 8 to 10
inches long and 3/8-inch in diameter. The bomb was filled with
gunpowder and had a 1-inch wick on one end.

Officials came upon the bomb during a search of the main high school
parking lot. The search was part of a narcotic sweep conducted by the
canine unit of the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

A dog indicated the car either had or had had narcotics in it, Swanson
said. The student was contacted, and police received permission to
search the car.

Dogs "hit" on 11 vehicles in the lot, Swanson said. No drugs were
found in four vehicles, including the vehicle with the pipe bomb. The
other seven vehicles contained either some marijuana, a residue
thought to be "crank" or methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia,
officers said.

"For going through an area with 250 cars in it, I don't think that is
a lot," Swanson said. "But I'd rather see none."