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Man threw explosives from car in NE Portland, police say

When authorities searched the suspect's apartment they found several hundred explosive devices.
Credit: Portland Police Bureau
PPB found several hundred explosives in the suspect's apartment.

PORTLAND, Ore. — A man was arrested for allegedly hurling explosives from a car in an area of Northeast Portland where a lot of homeless campers live.

Thomas Huskey, 69, was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on May 5. He is charged with three counts of possession of a destructive device and manufacture of a destructive device.

When officers arrested Huskey, they searched his apartment and found several hundred explosive devices, similar to large fireworks. The Metropolitan Explosive Disposal Unit collected and safely discarded the dangerous explosives. 

Credit: Portland Police Bureau
69-year-old Thomas Huskey

Police said people reported hearing a loud explosion around 1:40 p.m. on May 1 in the area of NE 6th Avenue and Davis St. No one was hurt. When officers arrived on scene they didn’t find evidence of anything. 

Just before noon on May 5, officers responded to the area again after receiving reports of a very loud explosion. People told police they heard similar loud noises recently and they didn’t think it was related to construction of any kind.

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After following up on leads, officers identified a possible suspect and car connected to the incidents. They identified the suspect’s car as a green Ford Explorer, belonging to Huskey. 

PPB says it has received “significant feedback from the community” about this investigation. People were concerned the many houseless individuals that live and spend time in the area were in danger.

PPB’s Fire Investigations Unit and Portland Fire & Rescue are investigating the incidents. So as not to compromise the integrity of the ongoing investigation, police say they are not releasing every detail right now.

Investigators say they hope to learn more about the suspect’s motive and whether there are more cases.

If anyone has information about similar incidents, please email Portland Police Bureau Detective Meredith Hopper at Meredith.hopper@portlandoregon.gov or call (503) 823-3408. You can also reach out to Portland Fire & Rescue Investigator Jason Andersen at Jason.andersen@portlandoregon.gov. 

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