Device Explodes Under Sonoma County Deputy's Car

GUERNEVILLE, CA — The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office detained a man who ignited an explosive device and threw it under a deputy's patrol car at the Safeway in Guerneville late this morning. The deputy parked his car on the west side of the Safeway parking lot and went inside to get lunch. When the deputy heard an explosion that rattled the store's windows, he ran outside and saw a man chasing another man.

The pursuit involved an off-duty law enforcement officer chasing the suspect, sheriff's officials said. Witnesses said a man threw suspicious items under the patrol car before the explosion.

The deputy handcuffed the suspect who was holding a backpack believed to contain more explosive devices. The suspect was taken to the sheriff's office sub-station nearby and other deputies evacuated the Safeway.

The sheriff's office's bomb squad neutralized the backpack and an explosive detection dog swept the area and the suspect's car for more explosives.

Safeway is open for limited access and other businesses in Guerneville are open. Guerneville is considered safe, the sheriff's office said.

The suspect has not been identified but he is believed to be a Sonoma County man, the sheriff's office said.

By Bay City News Service

Image via Sonoma County Sheriff's Office