APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – Appleton Police have been receiving reports of extremely loud detonations in one northside neighborhood.
Officers say the incidents have mostly happened in the evening hours, in a subdivision near Appleton North High School.
Early Sunday morning, Sergeant Dave Lund says a home in the 1300 block of Wyndmere Drive sustained property damage at the hands of a homemade explosive that appears to have been made, in part, from a prescription pill bottle.
“A family went outside their residence and found what appeared to be an improvised explosive device on their front porch that had apparently gone off sometime during the night.”
It damaged the home’s front door and a lawn ornament near the porch.
The sergeant notes Sunday’s incident was likely different from the previous reports his department has received from that area.
“It’s not possible at this point to really discount one from the other, but it would seem that the noise that’s been heard previously has been much larger than this device would have caused.”
Lund warns that these devices can lead to serious injuries or deaths and notes felony charges can be filed against those who use them.
“Most of the time when you see these, they have no way of knowing what exactly may cause them to explode. They may create an explosion that’s much bigger than what they actually intended to do.”
Investigators continue to look into the matter and urge parents to look for indicators that their kids may be involved in this activity and to put a stop to it immediately.
Lund says people should call police right away whenever they see this or other suspicious activity in their neighborhood.
“Responding and potentially finding someone in the area versus responding six hours or so later can make a big difference.”
