http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=1706527&nav=9qrxLTm3 String of mailbox bombings in Palm Springs
Today at five, we told you about a string of mailbox bombings in south Palm Springs. But neighbors say they're not laughing at these pranks. These crude plastic bombs can be really dangerous.
It's happened four times in the last month, all in this same neighborhood in the southern end of Palm Springs. Mailbox bombs going off right outside people's front doors. No one's been hurt, but residents are fed up.
"When you have the quietness of everyday life, and then something like this happens it's a wakeup call," says resident Gary Schmidt.
Especially when you consider how dangerous this seemingly harmless prank can be.
"It concerns us that if someone touches it, it can cause burns," says Carl Thiebault, Palm Springs Fire Department.
Police say the mailbox bomb is set off by a chemical reaction, so simply opening the door won't be enough to trigger it. But if you happen to be walking by when it goes off, the acid could eat through your skin, or even worse, blind you.
Police say they don't know who's doing this, but they say it could be a teenage prank. Resident Gary Schmidt was just about to take a walk when we told him about the bombing. If kids are responsible, Schmidt says he hopes their parents will do something about it.
"Pay attention to what your kids are doing, I know it's hard, as I learned years ago, but you have to pay attention."
Police say this neighborhood may have been a target because there are a lot of trees and bushes to hide behind, and very little street lighting. In every case the cause of the explosion was a plastic bottle filled with acid, rigged to blow up.
Prank or not, police say whoever's responsible might end up behind bars.
"We take it seriously and we will find you."
Detectives tell us they don't have many leads. If you see anything suspicious, call police with information.
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