Dealership Finds Pipe Bomb In Trade-In

A dealership in Sioux Falls, South Dakota thought they were taking a typical trade-in. Instead, one dealership employee found a pipe bomb. The bomb was found at Sioux Falls Ford and not till after a customer had already traded-in the vehicle. The pipe bomb must have been hidden in the vehicle because it wasn’t found until the cleaning and detailing process began. As part of that routine cleaning the pipe bomb was found.

The explosive device was discovered at Sioux Falls Ford at around 2:45 p.m. on July 30. As an immediate response to the frightening discovery, a dealership employee called the police. The police, informed of the potential bomb threat, showed up with the local bomb squad. Once at the scene, the bomb squad positively identified the threatening device as a pipe bomb. It was equipped with a fuse that would need to be lit for bomb detonation. The fuse was found fully intact. The police took the bomb and still have it in their possession. The obvious question came next: who traded in this car and what do they have to say about the pipe bomb found inside?

The dealership reached out and contacted the person who traded in the vehicle. He or she has not been identified. However the original owner of the car, which had the pipe bomb in it, did indicate that the pipe bomb was left behind by “accident.” However, despite the potential for a felony charge for possession of an explosive device, no charges will be filed against the dealership customer who left the pipe bomb in the vehicle.

Obviously, the customer who left behind a pipe bomb could have put others in harms way. It’s fortunate this situation resolved itself so peacefully. Do you often find atypical items in vehicles during trade-in detailing? What do you think of the decision for the authorities to not press any charges against the original possessor of the bomb?