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ATF: Half of dynamite reported stolen from Pennsylvania pipeline site recovered

Cartridges, blasting caps found in creek not far from site

ATF: Half of dynamite reported stolen from Pennsylvania pipeline site recovered

Cartridges, blasting caps found in creek not far from site

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ATF: Half of dynamite reported stolen from Pennsylvania pipeline site recovered

Cartridges, blasting caps found in creek not far from site

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said half of the dynamite reported stolen from a pipeline site in Pennsylvania has been recovered.Investigators are expected to continue to conduct interviews and determine if any additional explosives remain unaccounted for, or if they recovered them all on Friday.Special Agent in Charge Donald Robinson said the explosives were discovered Friday afternoon by a person on a walking trail in East Donegal Township in Lancaster County. That is not far from the pipeline site.Robinson said it's not clear whether more explosives are missing or if there was an error in the paperwork provided to the ATF."I don't have a lot of confidence right now in the reliability of the records the inventory is based on," he said.The cartridges of dynamite, as well as all of the missing blasting caps, were found in a creek, Robinson said. He said everything left in that location has been recovered.Robinson said the investigation into who is responsible for the theft continues."The fact that we've recovered some of this is great news, but we want to get ahold of the folks that stole it," he said.Robinson said the items were probably dumped in the last 24 to 48 hours. He's asking members of the public to contact the ATF if they noticed anything unusual in the area during that period of time.Contracting company's blasting permit suspendedThe Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection suspended the blasting permit for Gregory General Contracting, the company that was working at the site. All blasting authorized by the permit has stopped.Officials at the ATF said the explosives should have been stored more securely, instead of just being locked in a trailer. The company could face fines or even criminal charges, according to the ATF.The ATF said it is looking into concerns raised by employees about security at the site, including possible lapses near the trailer holding the explosives.

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The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said half of the dynamite reported stolen from a pipeline site in Pennsylvania has been recovered.

Investigators are expected to continue to conduct interviews and determine if any additional explosives remain unaccounted for, or if they recovered them all on Friday.

Special Agent in Charge Donald Robinson said the explosives were discovered Friday afternoon by a person on a walking trail in East Donegal Township in Lancaster County. That is not far from the pipeline site.

Robinson said it's not clear whether more explosives are missing or if there was an error in the paperwork provided to the ATF.

"I don't have a lot of confidence right now in the reliability of the records the inventory is based on," he said.

The cartridges of dynamite, as well as all of the missing blasting caps, were found in a creek, Robinson said. He said everything left in that location has been recovered.

Robinson said the investigation into who is responsible for the theft continues.

"The fact that we've recovered some of this is great news, but we want to get ahold of the folks that stole it," he said.

Robinson said the items were probably dumped in the last 24 to 48 hours. He's asking members of the public to contact the ATF if they noticed anything unusual in the area during that period of time.

Contracting company's blasting permit suspended

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection suspended the blasting permit for Gregory General Contracting, the company that was working at the site. All blasting authorized by the permit has stopped.

Officials at the ATF said the explosives should have been stored more securely, instead of just being locked in a trailer. The company could face fines or even criminal charges, according to the ATF.

The ATF said it is looking into concerns raised by employees about security at the site, including possible lapses near the trailer holding the explosives.