Sgt. Martin Snyder reported that at 11:16 p.m. Lake County Sheriff Dispatch received a telephone call from an unknown subject at a payphone located on Old Highway 53.
The caller made a threat that an explosive device had been placed at the Clearlake Commons Apartments, located within the city of Clearlake. The caller gave an ultimatum and time frame in which the device would be detonated, Snyder said.
Officers with the Clearlake Police Department responded to the Ridge Lake Apartments, which was formally named the Clearlake Commons, located at the 3800 block of Old Highway 53, according to Snyder.
He said officers began a search of the apartment complex for any suspicious devices. During the search, officers located what appeared to be an improvised explosive device near a waste collection center located in the parking lot.
A mobile command center was established at the intersection of Austin Drive and Old Highway 53. Snyder said personnel with the Lake County Fire Protection District, Clearlake Police Department and Lake County Sheriff’s Office began an evacuation of the Ridge Lake Apartments.
Approximately 70 people were displaced from the apartment complex. Snyder said numerous buses from Lake County Transit and the American Red Cross responded to assist with the transportation and care of the displaced persons. The Highlands Senior Center was opened and used as a temporary shelter.
Additionally the Sonoma County Sheriff Department’s Bomb Squad was contacted for assistance, Snyder said.
The Sonoma County Bomb Squad arrived on scene several hours later. Snyder said the bomb Squad examined the device with the use of an advanced electronic robot, and the device was rendered safe by the bomb squad.
He said that upon further examination it was discovered the device contained no harmful or explosive chemicals.
The scene remained closed while Clearlake Police Department officer collected evidence, Snyder said.
On Friday at 4:02 a.m. the apartment complex was deemed safe and the tenants were allowed to return to their residences, according to Snyder.
He said the Clearlake Police Department would like to thank the Lake County Fire Protection District, Sonoma County Bomb Squad, the American Red Cross, Lake County Transit, and Deputies with the Lake County Sheriff’s department, and Linda Burton the Director of the Highlands Senior Center, for all of the various professional, services offered.
The caller who called in the bomb threat has not been identified as of yet however the case is still under investigation, Snyder said.
If anyone has any information regarding this incident they are encouraged to call the Clearlake Police Department, attention Officer Michael Ray, 707-884-8251.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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