By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor
The army has now joined an ongoing investigation into a residence on South Shades Crest Road after authorities discovered a series of incendiary devices on the property.
On June 18 at 12:47 p.m., investigators with the Criminal Investigative Unit and Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force executed a lawful court order for a resident of 5159 South Shades Crest Road, Bessemer.
Several units have responded to the scene, including the Hoover Police Department, Helena Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
While on the scene, investigators discovered what they believed to be an incendiary device and quickly cleared the area and closed South Shades Crest Road near Timberlake Drive. Law enforcement contacted the multi-jurisdictional explosive ordinance team. Authorities began investigating the property with a search warrant that had been acquired prior to the execution of the court order.
“They’ve found a number of items that appear to be incendiary devices,” said Lt. Debbie Sumrall with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. ”So far, all of them have been judged to be safe.”
Sumrall shared that authorities have not discovered anything that currently indicates any danger to the general public.
Due to the number of incendiary devices discovered, authorities reached out to the army who are currently on scene investigating.
“They are specialists in this,” Sumrall said. “They are the best of the best. So, because of suspicious items that were on the property, we felt it best to include them.”
Residents and those traveling should expect a continued law enforcement presence in the area until investigation into the property is complete and authorities are confident no other concerning items are in or around the residence.
“We are going to remain, the army will remain until we are confident that there is nothing on that property that would be a danger to the public,” Sumrall said.
For residents traveling in the area, there are some roads which can access South Shades Crest from the Bessemer end of County Road 52. Due to the continued police presence, those traveling through the area are encouraged to exercise caution.
According to Sumrall, details on the reason for the initial court order are not available for public release at this time.
Further information on the situation will be released as it becomes available at Shelbycountyreporter.com.
