Melinda The Skagway police are asking for help identifying the person or persons responsible for a vehicle explosion in West Creek. The incident received attention from federal investigators.
The Skagway Police Department received a report on May 6 of a burned and abandoned vehicle in West Creek, past Dyea. Police Chief Jerry Reddick sent an officer to investigate.
“After reviewing the pictures, it was obvious that there was some kind of explosion involved, and not a lot of melting or char marks,” Reddick says. “The FBI happened to be in town, because they were doing a demonstration for the school. So, we talked to them and ATF, and they sent a bomb tech, because they wanted to check and make sure that this wouldn’t have a nexus with terrorism, whether it be domestic terrorism, or just any terrorism in general.”
The bomb technician from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrived the next day. Evidence was collected, including possible fingerprints. Reddicks says the bomb technician didn’t observe any improvised explosive devices or anything that “made some concerns for him.”
Reddick encourages anyone with information to contact the police department.
“And if this was somebody just playing jokes or pranks, I would rather them come talk to us, we can work this out,” Reddick says. “Otherwise, someone’s going to wind up with charges because we’ve had to do a full-on investigation.”
Several people in Dyea and West Creek heard the explosion, which occurred the night of May 4.
“We’ve got some vehicles that have been somewhat identified in the area at the time,” Reddick says. “So, we have some things in the works. I can’t discuss a lot of details, but you know, they’re there. So eventually, it’ll all come out. It’s a small community but it’s better if somebody comes to us and talks to us about it.”
Arson is a Class C Felony.
