Marshfield Police: Pipe Bomb May Have Fallen Off Moving Vehicle

MARSHFIELD (CBS) -- Police now believe the pipe bomb found Sunday, may have fallen off a moving vehicle before being discovered on Ocean Street.

"We believe the intended target of this bomb was an individual," Marshfield Police Chief Phil Tavares said.

Because the pipe bomb had two powerful magnets attached to it, investigators believe it may have been hooked up to a car, and fell off near Brant Rock.

Local resident, Ted Walker found it as he was walking his dog Sunday afternoon.

"It was all wrapped up in electric tape, even the ends were taped. It had a wire coming out from it, attached to a 9-volt battery. I'm glad it didn't go off around me," he told WBZ.

Police are calling the bomb "sophisticated." A $5,000 reward is now being offered for information.

"Local fire and police created a secure zone around the object so the Bomb Squad could x-ray the object and perform other diagnostic assessments. The device did detonate as part of the State Police Bomb Squad's disruption and that is expected when disrupting an actual bomb. There was no danger to the public during this procedure. The danger was that someone handling it prior to the detonation could have been seriously injured," Fire Marshal Stephen Coan said.

The primarily business area around the Brant Rock Esplanade was sealed off and evacuated as police detonated the device.

"If it exploded, it could've caused serious injury to anyone around it," says Tavares, "and if it was attached to a car, it would've destroyed the car."

Authorities are reminding the public to call police for any suspicious bags or devices on the ground.