Police Warn Public of ‘Bottle Bombs’

Both the Anne Arundel County police and fire departments urge citizens to be aware of the dangers associated with devices commonly referred to as “bottle bombs."

After a "bottle bomb" incident at , Anne Arundel County Police are warning the public that juveniles and adults may face felony charges for manufacturing and detonating devices.

On Monday at 6:30 p.m., officers responded for the report of an explosion at Sunset Elementary. An investigation revealed that two teenage boys threw a plastic “bottle bomb” at a 6-year-old girl on the playground, according to a release. The device exploded, but did not injure the girl.

Police located and arrested two boys, ages 13 and 15, from Pasadena who threw the bottle. According to the release, the teens were charged as juveniles on felony citations with reckless endangerment, possession of a destructive device-manufacturing and distributing. The police department continues to investigate this incident along with fire investigators.

According to the release, police and fire agencies have investigated several incidents of “bottle bomb” pranks in the last two years with one incident resulting in serious injuries to the victim. Fire investigators handled 28 cases in 2011 and six cases so far in 2012.

Police say that the devices are often researched online and manufactured by juveniles. However, the chemicals used in device can be extremely hazardous. Victims may require immediate medical attention and the pressure from the explosion is capable of causing traumatic injuries to the body or extensive damage to property.

Anyone encountering a suspicious device or container that may be filled with chemicals or emanating a suspicious odor is urged to immediately call 911.