Police investigate explosive device found on Shirley road - Lowell Sun

SHIRLEY — Authorities dismantled an explosive instrumentality that was discovered by a vigilant Shirley constabulary serviceman successful the mediate of Townsend Road aboriginal Friday morning.

Shirley Police reported successful a societal media station that the serviceman was connected patrol soon aft 1 a.m. erstwhile helium noticed a suspicious item, which turned retired to beryllium a achromatic overgarment can, successful the halfway of the roadway.

The officer, a 12-year seasoned of the force, performed a ocular inspection that revealed the tin had a tiny spread successful the apical of it with a wick sticking out.

“Based connected his grooming experience, the serviceman knew not to interaction it and they blocked disconnected the road,” said Shirley Police Chief Sam Santiago.

The State Police Bomb Squad and the Shirley Fire Department were called to the scene. The State Police deployed their explosive robot and with X-ray technology, were capable to find that determination was a firework-type explosive instrumentality wrong the can.

Police said the Bomb Squad was capable to safely dismantle the instrumentality and render it safe. The instrumentality volition beryllium forensically analyzed successful the hunt for further evidence.

Santiago said precocious Friday day that his department, on with the State Police, are investigating the find to find however the instrumentality ended up successful the road. He added that the national Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has been successful interaction with the department.

On societal media, constabulary told the community, “if you spot something, accidental something.”

“Please study immoderate suspicious enactment to the Shirley Police Department,” constabulary said successful the post. “We are asking for the public’s assistance to reappraisal your doorbell cameras and oregon location video systems from 10:30 p.m. to 1:03 a.m., which is the timeframe that we person determined that the instrumentality whitethorn person been placed connected the roadway.”

Anyone with accusation is asked to telephone the Shirley Police Tip Line astatine 978-425-2642 ext. 103 to permission an anonymous connection oregon to supply accusation astir the discovery.

Santiago said the section would supply updates arsenic the probe continues.

Follow Aaron Curtis connected Twitter @aselahcurtis