Homemade bombs popping up all over Boulder's Somerset subdivision

No, they didn't look like this.

The typical Boulder neighborhood is a quiet place. But the past couple of days at the community's Somerset subdivision have been positively explosive. According to the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, homemade bombs -- plastic bottles filled with chemicals capable of going "boom" -- have been found in common areas like fields and tennis courts.

To date, one of these incendiaries has fulfilled its purpose, causing approximately $1,000 in damage to a pool house. Learn more in the BCSO release below:

Additional Explosive Devices Located in the Somerset Subdivision

Yesterday afternoon, August 11, 2010, at approximately 3:00, Boulder County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the Somerset subdivision swimming pool on a report of a suspicious container. Deputies responded and found remnants of four explosive devices (plastic bottles that had ruptured) in the area around the pool, tennis courts, and adjacent field. One of the devices had been thrown in the pool house and exploded causing approximately $1000 in damage to the carpet.

Early this morning, August 12, 2010 at approximately 12:50 a.m., a Sheriff's deputy was completing an area check of the Somerset subdivision and located remnants of two to three more explosive devices in the same areas (pool, tennis courts, and adjacent field) of the Somerset subdivision.

The Sheriff's Office is warning the public of the multiple incidents and wants to make people aware of the dangers involved. In the described incidents the bottles were 12-16 oz capped plastic bottles that contained a liquid chemical and aluminum foil. During the chemical reaction the contents of the bottle sometimes becomes cloudy as the reaction occurs and produces a hydrogen gas that is flammable.

Citizens are cautioned against picking up suspicious containers that are found in the street, on their lawns, or in their mailboxes. If the containers appear to be suspicious they should not touch them and immediately contact the Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office is investigating these incidents and would request anyone with any information contact Detective Mark Spurgeon at (303) 441-3615 or they may contact Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or through www.nococrimestoppers.com where they can send an anonymous e-mail or text message. Tips may be eligible for a cash reward.