Bomb Squad Investigates Device Found In Car At Modesto Intersection
MODESTO (CBS13) – A Modesto intersection was blocked off Wednesday as police investigated a possible explosive device in the trunk of a getaway car. The device turned out not to be an explosive.
On Wednesday at around 11:40 a.m., a car with three people inside pulled up to a Modesto home where a man was standing out front. They shot at the man and a shootout ensued, but nobody was hit.
The suspects drove off, and less than a block away, the car crashed into another vehicle at the intersection of I and 5th Streets. The suspects got out and ran away.
"Oh my God, I'm just going to pick up my son's birthday cake and all the sudden I'm involved in a shooting and hit-and-run. What a terrible day," said Ellis Young, the driver of the hit vehicle.
Police arrived at the scene, and while searching the trunk of the car, found a suspicious device. The police bomb squad was called out to investigate the object, which turned out to be a "ground burst simulator."
"It's not considered an explosive device. It basically makes noise like a firework does," said Sgt. Rick Applegate.
The device sounds like an explosion but is not illegal to own.
"I definitely don't think the people in the car that were involved in a gun battle in midday in downtown were going to use it for any other purpose except something heinous," said Applegate.
The ordeal left Young shaken and thankful he was not seriously hurt on his son's birthday.
"I'm relieved the bomb didn't go off and I didn't get shot," he said.
Young did go to the hospital to get checked out.
Police detained one person. No one was hit by the bullets during the shootout.
