A Howell County man who was arrested over the weekend has been charged for having a pipe bomb in his car.
According to the Howell County Sheriff’s Office, Sunday morning dispatched received a call of a vehicle stopped in the roadway with a male subject slumped over the steering wheel.
Deputies discovered the driver, identified as Rodney D. Smith of Pomona, Mo., was driving on a suspended license and placed under arrest. During the investigation, deputies located what was believed to be a home-made explosive device inside the vehicle. The Missouri State Highway Patrol Bomb Squad was called to the scene for assistance.
Upon arrival, the Bomb Squad confirmed the device was an active explosive device, moved to a safe location where it was further rendered safe. According to court documents, the device turned out to be a pipe bomb with caps glued to each end and a fuse sticking out from one of the caps. During the interview, Smith stated he planned on taking the bomb home, cutting it open and was going to use the powder inside to reload ammunition.
Smith is currently being held at the Howell County Adult Detention Center.
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