Suspicious device found near Olympia middle school is fifth found in 2 months

OLYMPIA — A suspicious device found north of Chinook Middle School last week closed an area street for three hours, according to Lacey police.

About 12:50 p.m. July 18, Lacey police and Washington State Patrol bomb technicians were dispatched to Tarawa Place and Enterprise Drive Northeast.

A person walking their dog noticed the device in the street and called 911, Lacey police Sgt. Jeremy Knight said.

Washington State Patrol bomb techs ultimately rendered the device safe, he said. However, the device did contain components that if properly assembled could have made it a viable device, Knight said.

During the school year, four such devices were found near or on the grounds of the middle school, The Olympian reported.

On May 18, a device was found in a porta-potty. On May 20, two devices were found in a wooded area east of the school, and then another device was found again in a porta-potty on May 28.

Knight said police are investigating whether the device found north of the school is related to the devices found at or near the school.