MAHONING COUNTY Bomb remains found in lot in Struthers to be examined

The object, wrapped in duct tape, was the size of a one-pound can of coffee.
By MARALINE KUBIK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
STRUTHERS -- The Federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms will examine the remains of a bomb that was discovered in the parking lot of a Struthers business.
According to Ed Villone, a captain with the Struthers Police Department, Vicki L. Balogh, owner of V & amp;J's Center Foods, 293 Center St., and one of her employees found a suspicious cylindrical-shaped object wrapped in duct tape in an entrance to the parking lot of the convenience store shortly after 7 a.m. Friday.
The object, which was about the size of a one-pound can of coffee, was lying on its side with a fuse projecting from one end.
The Youngstown Bomb Squad was called in to remove the object and, after using X-ray equipment to determine that it could be an explosive device, detonated the bomb on property owned by Gennaro Pavers in Lowellville.
What was done
Struthers police recorded the detonation on videotape and logged debris from the bomb into evidence, which will be forwarded to the ATF, Villone said.
Balogh told Officer David Gabriel that she doesn't know who may have planted the bomb and that she hasn't had a problem with anyone.
Detective Jeff Pantall said he doesn't believe this bomb is connected to another that exploded March 19 on the porch of a home in the 400 block of West Omar Street.
That bomb shattered a 5-by-7-foot window, sending shards of glass throughout an occupied bedroom and filling the house with smoke.
No one was injured by the blast. Arson specialists are investigating.
kubik@vindy.com