Sheriff: Suspicious Pipe Found at Recology Not a Bomb

A suspicious-looking pipe that was picked up by a garbage truck and transported to the Recology Plant in San Carlos on Wednesday was not an explosive device, according to San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.
   
Deputies responded to a report of a suspected explosive device at Recology at approximately 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday. As a precaution, Recology staff secured the possible device in a parking lot behind the facility.

Shoreway Road was closed off to incoming traffic and airspace surrounding the San Carlos Airport was restricted for a short period.

Members of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad responded to the scene and determined the suspected explosive device was not in fact a pipe bomb but simply a segment of a piece of metal pipe. The pipe was approximately 12 inches long and 2.5 inches in diameter.   

The bomb squad offers this safety tip: “It is always a good idea to err on the side of caution when coming in contact with a suspected explosive device. If you aren’t sure what you are dealing with, call 9-1-1... better safe than sorry when it comes to explosive materials.”