A pipe bomb at Pekin City Hall Thursday made a momentary scare and a real-time test of emergency response practices.
Pekin Police found a pipe bomb in a safe that was confiscated in the course of an investigation Wednesday. Pekin Police Spokeswoman Billie Ingles says officers had to obtain a warrant before opening the safe.
“They opened the safe. There was a pipe bomb inside of it and they evacuated the building, called out emergency services, Peoria Bomb Squad. They came and took care of the bomb,” Ingles said.
Tazewell County doesn't have a bomb team, making the mutual aid necessary. Peoria’s Bomb Squad Robot obtained the device and detonated it safely in a blast protection bin.
The total matter was handled in about two hours. But Pekin Police say the man who was arrested Wednesday when the safe was confiscated is facing additional questions.