Nevada City, Calif.-The San Francisco Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives field office has identified the explosives that were stolen from a storage bunker near Truckee sometime between Sept. 6 and 15 as ammonium nitrate already mixed with fuel oil for use in quarry or road work or similar construction projects. Acting ATF Special Agent in Charge Michael Gleysteen told Green Markets that the haul, which also included blasting caps, amounted to approximately 600 pounds. He also disclosed that the reward posted for information leading to an arrest and conviction and recovery of the explosives has been increased from $10,000 to $25,000. A licensed explosives blaster reported the theft on Sept. 17 to the Nevada County sheriff’s office, which was immediately joined in the investigation by ATF agents from the San Francisco area. “Our first and foremost concern is public safety,” Gleysteen commented. “We are seeking help from the public to locate these stolen explosives before they can be used to harm lives or property.” The scene of the theft from the explosives magazine is described as east of Truckee, Calif., and fairly close to Interstate 80, which is heavily traveled between Reno and San Francisco. News reports stated that the thieves removed the doors from the two steel vaults by sawing through the hinges. Gleysteen emphasized that the ammonium nitrate was not the agriculture or home and garden fertilizer variety, but was pre-mixed with fuel oil in what is typically called “amfo,” for use as construction explosives.
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