Suspected “acid bombs” were found this morning on the east side of Lake Hollingsworth and at Common Grounds Park, the Lakeland Police Department reports. Nobody has been injured. Members of the Tampa Police bomb squad neutralized the Hollingsworth device with an air pistol, around 1 p.m., the Lakeland Fire Department said.
A jogger reported one device around 10 a.m. near the Lake Hollingsworth shoreline in the vicinity of Hollingsworth Oaks Drive, police spokesman Gary Gross said.
A similar device was found at 7 a.m. in the north parking lot of Common Grounds Park along Edgewood Drive, police said.
“No one is in harm’s way at this moment. We’ve checked every park in the city,” Gross said. The bombs did not activate.
Both devices “were plastic bottles containing an unknown liquid substance and aluminum foil inside,” LPD said in a news release.
“These devices appear to be made from common household items and do not create incendiary explosions; however, they can be hazardous to anyone making them as well as anyone who may encounter them,” according to LPD’s news release.
There are no suspects yet. Residents are asked to report suspicious items to 911. An update will be posted on the LPD Facebook page this afternoon, he said.
#LFD & @LakelandPD @ Lk Hollingsworth. Small plastic bottle, homemade device found near lake. @TampaPD bomb squad on scene remediating. Details to come from #LPD via media release. pic.twitter.com/ofs3M1frvl
— Lakeland Fire (@LakelandFD) November 29, 2017
Homemade bottle device found @ Lk. Hollingsworth being neutralized by @TampaPD #bombsquad. Full details to come via #LPD #MediaRelease. pic.twitter.com/9G2MnXtWFd
— Lakeland Fire (@LakelandFD) November 29, 2017