Man arrested after homemade bomb explodes in St. Helens
A man is facing felony charges after detonating a homemade explosive on a person's front yard Friday night in St. Helens, police said.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- A 41-year-old St. Helens man is facing felony charges after detonating a homemade explosive on a person's front yard Friday night, police said.
Just before 10 p.m., a loud explosion was reported at a home in the 300 block of South 18th Street, filling the street between the St. Helens Public Library and a church with smoke, police said. A resident told officers the man, later identified as Clinton James Allen, set off the bomb before being chased off the property.
When Allen was found nearby, authorities said, he had a loaded .380 handgun with him.
Authorities also found a second, undetonated bomb at the scene and called in the Oregon State Police Bomb Squad for backup.
Allen faces felony charges for the incident, including 2 counts each of unlawful manufacturing of a destructive device, possession of a destructive device and carrying a concealed weapon. He faces single count each of unlawful use of a weapon and disorderly conduct.
No injuries were reported.
The investigation is ongoing and police said additional charges may be leveled against Allen. They asked anyone with information to contact SHPD at 503.397.1521.