Police confirmed on Wednesday explosive devices have been found and are allegedly connected to the Mark Sawaf case.
According to Harlan City Police Chief Mike Thomas, a man came in on Thursday afternoon to report a suspicious orange cooler he found in the weeds in a wooded area on Horton Street near Sawaf’s former residence.
“A resident of the area came to the police department and said he’d found a cooler in the weeds that was very suspicious looking that he knew was not there previously,” Thomas said. “I located the cooler and opened the lid.”
Thomas said the cooler contained suspicious chemicals, explosive devices and other bomb-making materials.
“We contacted the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms as well as bomb techs from the Kentucky State Police,” Thomas said. “They have confirmed it is bomb making materials and a couple of (explosive) devices.”
Thomas said the bomb techs were dealing with the chemicals and would detonate the explosive devices. He also confirmed the explosives and other materials were connected to the Sawaf case.
“There are definitely the same type of materials, it’s near his residence, and there are some shipping labels and mail included in it with his name and address on it,” Thomas explained.
Thomas said the public needs to be aware these devices could still be anywhere. He pointed out there is no way to know how many devices may still exist or where such devices may be.
“Still use caution around grassy wooded areas,” Thomas warns. “If you see anything suspicious like this man did, call us so we can check it and take care of it.”
According to previous reports, Sawaf was shot and killed during an altercation with law enforcement in August. He was arrested by the ATF following a search of a residence on June 21. Sawaf was arrested on a complaint charging him with possession of a firearm (destructive device) which is not registered in the national firearms registry and transfer record and making a firearm (destructive device). He was lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center.
According to a press release from Kentucky State Police Public Affairs Officer Shane Jacobs, Sawaf was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound.
Jacobs said personnel from KSP Hazardous Devices, KSP Post 10, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Lexington City Police Department Hazardous Devices Unit and the Lexington City Fire Department Arson Investigation Unit were in Harlan on Thursday doing a follow-up investigation involving explosives found in Harlan earlier this year.
Jacobs also said as a result of an ongoing investigation and safety concerns for the public, the ATF, KSP Hazardous Devices Unit, and KSP Post 10 transported Sawaf back to Harlan County to aid in locating remaining improvised explosive devices. It was determined more of these devices had been deployed in wooded areas near the city of Harlan by Sawaf. Due to such an expanded area and large scale operation, the ATF requested the assistance of the Lexington Police Department Hazardous Devices Unit, Lexington Fire Department-Fire Investigation Unit, and KSP Hazardous Devices Unit. Several improvised explosive devices were located and destroyed at the scene. During the operation, Sawaf attempted to flee custody at which time an altercation occurred with Sawaf and members of the ATF (Special Agent Todd Tremaine), Lexington Police Department Hazardous Devices Unit (Lt. Matt Greathouse), and Lexington Fire Department- Fire Investigator Unit (Capt. Brad Dobrzynski).
“As a result of the altercation Capt. Dobrzynski from the Lexington Fire Department utilized deadly force by firing his weapon,” Jacobs said.
Sawaf was pronounced dead at the scene by Harlan County Deputy Coroner Jim Rich.
Anybody who locates a suspicious package or device should report it to law enforcement immediately.
Reach Joe P. Asher at 606-99-4132 or on Twitter @joe_hde
Photos submitted Police confirmed explosive devices and bomb-making materials were found near Horton Street on Wednesday.
http://harlandaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_Bomb2.jpg
Photos submitted Police confirmed explosive devices and bomb-making materials were found near Horton Street on Wednesday.
Photos submitted Police confirmed explosive devices and bomb-making materials were found near Horton Street on Wednesday.
http://harlandaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_Bomb.jpg
Photos submitted Police confirmed explosive devices and bomb-making materials were found near Horton Street on Wednesday.
Police confirm Sawaf connection
By Joe P. Asher
jasher@civitasmedia.com