Bomb ‘a practical joke’

By JARED McNEILL
The Oskaloosa Herald

October 12, 2006 11:38 am

— OSKALOOSA — The “bomb” found in the now-burned out mobile home at 618 Fifth Ave. W. was just a practical joke.
In doing “salvage and overhaul” work Tuesday, the Oskaloosa Fire Department came across what looked like a bomb and so the Oskaloosa Police Department was notified and then the state fire marshal’s office was called in.
In evaluating an instance like this, state fire officials have an idea of what they’re looking for, said Public Safety Information Officer Jim Saunders.
“I think what they’re looking for is they have special training with regards to identification and the handling of a variety of different explosive materials to include pipe bombs and even such things as a stick of dynamite or anything like that,” he said. “So, what they’ll do is they’ll come down there. They’ll work with the local officials.”
He said that the first priority is to make sure the area is indeed secured to ensure the safety of all those that could be affected.
Then, the officials will look at the situation and evaluate what exactly is happening through special equipment and tests.
In the evaluation of this set of circumstances, the “bomb” was ruled a dud, said Oskaloosa Fire Chief Frank Glandon.
“It was never meant to be one,” he said.
So, what was it and why was it there?
William Jay Davis, who is also listed as a resident of the mobile home with Juanita Davis, explained to the police that it was just a joke played on him from years before.
“From what I understand, several years ago, some of his working comrades left it in his tool box as a practical joke, and he took it home and has never disposed of it,” said Oskaloosa Police Chief John “Jake” McGee. “That’s what he told us anyway,” he said.
Davis, however, has more to worry about than a fake pipe bomb.
He is currently under investigation by the Oskaloosa Police Department concerning what else was found in the mobile home — firearms.
Though McGee wasn’t quite sure exactly what guns were found, he said that he thought a black powder rifle was present along with some ammunition.
Normally this wouldn’t be too huge of a deal, except for the fact that Davis is a convicted felon.
He was convicted of one count of Lascivious Acts with a Child, a Class D felony, approximately 13 years ago, with a female 13 or younger.
Davis is registered as a sex offender.
Herald Assistant Editor Jared McNeill can be reached by e-mail at jmcneill@oskyherald.com

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.