'Bottle bomb' found behind supermarket - News - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

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'Bottle bomb' found behind supermarket Tuesday Jul 17, 2012 at 12:25 AM Jul 17, 2012 at 3:25 AM The Oregon State Police bomb squad safely destroyed what officials described as a bottle bomb made from a 2-liter bottle wrapped in duct tape and filled with hydrochloric acid Sunday morning. By Mandy Valencia The Oregon State Police bomb squad safely destroyed what officials described as a bottle bomb made from a 2-liter bottle wrapped in duct tape and filled with hydrochloric acid Sunday morning. The suspicious object was reported at about 9:30 a.m. at Albertsons on North Ross Lane. Medford police Lt. Mike Budreau said a passer-by notified authorities about the bottle. Police do not suspect the bottle was placed with the intent to harm anyone, as it was at the back of the store about 10 feet away from the building. The bottle was later determined to have been filled with hydrochloric acid, which would cause chemical burns to anyone near it upon detonation. "Once you put the chemicals together, there's no detonator," Budreau said. "It could take a matter of minutes or more, so there's a long period that it could go off." The bomb squad destroyed the bottle bomb with a water cannon shortly after it was found. "We've seen people use dry ice and water; that will also cause a boom," said Budreau. "The offenders could face serious felony charges of unlawful manufacture or possession of a destructive device." Budreau suggests if anyone sees a suspicious object such as a bottle bomb, he or she should not approach it. "Even the experts themselves use the water cannon. No one should try to disarm it," Budreau said. "It can go off at any time and cause injury. Let the professionals handle it. It's what they get paid to do." Reach reporter Mandy Valencia at 541-776-4486 or by email at [email protected].