Joshua Tree residents were briefly evacuated yesterday (January 4) while two stray military weapons found in a residential neighborhood were detonated.
On Tuesday (January 2), two suspicious cylindrical items that appeared to be unexploded military ordnances, buried approximately two to three feet in the ground, were discovered by a contractor attempting to install a septic tank at a residential property on Crestview Drive.
Deputies from the Sheriff’s Department Bomb/Arson detail responded to the area and confirmed the presence of military type ordnances, and they requested assistance from the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. Ordinances is a broad term for military weapons, ammunition, and explosives.
During the investigation, it was determined several pieces of military ordnances were buried at the location by an unknown person, at an unknown time, possibly several years prior to their discovery. After inspection of the ordnances, it was determined the safest way to handle the devices was to dispose of them on-site, using a small controlled explosive charge.
Residents of nearby houses were temporarily evacuated at around 1 p.m. yesterday while the weapons were detonated.
The area was reopened to residents later in the afternoon.
On December 26, The County Sheriff’s Bomb/Arson Division and the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team responded to are report of military ordinances at a home construction site.
Deputies reported on Thursday (December 28) that the Marine team was able to remove the ordnances from the site, and that they found no further military equipment or ordnances at the site.
Previous Updates from 1/4:
Roads near Crestview Dr in Joshua Tree have been closed by military personnel as part of an investigation related to military ordnances found in the area.
Z107.7 received reports of roads being closed by military personnel near Crestview Dr in Joshua Tree just before 1 p.m. today (January 3).
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that an investigation in the area is ongoing, and that the investigation is related to the military ordnances discovered at a construction site in the 62000 block of Crestview Drive in Joshua Tree on December 26.
Z107.7 has reached out to representatives from the Marine Corps. Air Ground Combat Center for further details, and we will update this story as we learn more.
On December 26, The County Sheriff’s Bomb/Arson Division and the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team responded to a report of military ordnances at a home construction site.
Ordnances is a broad term for military weapons, ammunitions, and explosives.
Deputies reported on Thursday (December 28) that the Marine team was able to remove the ordnances from the site, and that they found no further military equipment or ordnances at the site.
PREVIOUSLY REPORTED:
