Pipe bomb find necessitates evacuation

The discovery Wednesday of explosive materials in East Carson City caused the evacuation of a business off Highway 50 East.

The Carson City Sheriff's Department was called to Mountain Concrete, 5814 Sheep Drive, at 8:30 a.m. when an employee searching the trailer of a recently arrested colleague found two pipe bombs and bomb-manufacturing equipment.

"We had at least two explosive devices that were fully armed," said Chief Deputy Scott Burau. "It's what I would describe as a small pipe bomb."

Burau said additional materials included blasting caps were found. Drug paraphernalia was also in the trailer.

Deputies called in the Douglas County Bomb Squad to search the area. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents were also called from Reno to conduct an investigation.

The trailer where the material was found belonged to 48-year-old Michael Starr, who was arrested June 19 for suspicion of driving under the influence. Starr is also being held on an unrelated warrant out of Lyon County.

Burau said the decision whether to charge Starr with possession of explosives and drug paraphernalia will be made by the Carson City District Attorney's Office.

The evacuated employees were allowed back a few hours later and the scene was cleared by the late afternoon.