The Cedar Rapids police bomb squad is investigating an explosion that heavily damaged a pop machine this morning around six o’clock. Police spokesperson, Sergeant Cristy Hamblin, says the machine was at an apartment complex on the Kirkwood Community College campus.
Hamblin says the machine was located between two buildings of the apartment complex and the device was place right inside the area of the machine where you would receive the pop. Kids sometimes make bombs out of pop bottles, but Hamblin says this device packed much more punch.
She says it was "quite and explosion" that scattered debris over 100 feet. Hamblin says they don’t have any suspects yet. Hamblin says they don’t have any suspects, but are looking over the evidence, including three vehicles that were damaged. They are also asking for the publics help in finding the culprit.
Hamblin says there are two possibilities for a reward for information that leads to an arrest in the case. The first is from Crime Stoppers at 1-800-CR-CRIME. Callers remain anonymous. The second is the Arson Hotline at 1-800-532-1459. There is there is a $15,000 reward fund throught he Arson Hotline.
Hamblin says you can also call the Cedar Fire Department with information at 319-286-5241 and still be eligible for the reward.