Two Arrested after Explosive Device Found at LaPorte County Fairgrounds

 
 

Two teenagers were arrested Thursday after LaPorte County law enforcement officials found an explosive device at the LaPorte County Fairgrounds.

Deputies were notified that a potential explosive device was in the possession of a juvenile in attendance at the fair and it was believed that the suspect would detonate the device near the carnival rides.

LaPorte officials immediately swept the fairgrounds and located the suspect within seven minutes. The device was reportedly found in a backpack the suspect was wearing.

The device was removed from the fairgrounds. The Porter County Bomb Squad dismantled the device and investigators from the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were called. Officials did confirm it was an explosive device.

One 16-year-old male was arrested and has a preliminary charge of Possession of a Destructive Device, a Class C Felony. Another 16-year-old male, who is suspected of building the device, was arrested on a preliminary charge of Manufacturing a Destructive Device, a Class C Felony. They were transported to the Juvenile Justice Center.