(The following story by Cindy Clayton appeared on The Virginian-Pilot website on January 7.)
NEWPORT NEWS — Authorities are continuing an investigation after two crudely built explosive devices were found at CSX railroad tracks in the area of North Avenue on Saturday.
No one was hurt and no property was damaged, Bob Sullivan, a CSX spokesman, said by phone today from Philadelphia.
The railroad company is working with the police and fire departments to try to determine who built the two devices. He could not comment on the investigation, but said that the devices appeared to have been built by vandals. He said federal authorities were being kept informed about the investigation.
“We will seek to prosecute anyone connected to these incidents to the fullest extent of the law.” Sullivan said.
Train traffic on the tracks was halted some time in the afternoon, affecting freight travel and one Amtrak train, Sullivan said. A second device was found later.
Some CSX employees spotted a device earlier in the day, Sullivan said. It was unclear what time the second device was found. Police bomb experts were called to the scene to detonate the devices.
It was unclear when the devices were placed at the tracks, Sullivan said.
“That, I’m sure, will be part of the investigation,” Sullivan said.