TUTTLE LAKE, IOWA – A pipe bomb was found near a state park in North Iowa, authorities say.
The improvised explosive device was discovered recently in Emmet County. According to Emmet County Sheriff Mike Martens, at 8:19 PM on August 14, 2020, the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a citizen who was at Okamanpedan State Park at Tuttle Lake. The caller reported that they had been using a magnet in the water under the traffic bridge in the park to recover fishing tackle when the caller snagged a suspicious item. Upon investigation at the scene by the sheriff’s office, it was believed that the device was a pipe bomb that had been under water for some time. The suspect device was removed to a safe location pending further investigation.
The Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office was contacted and confirmed that the suspect device was a pipe bomb and were able to render the device safe.
The sheriff’s office is asking for anyone with information in regard to this incident, to contact the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office at 712-362-2639.