ATF agents assist Thurmont police investigate 'Pipe bomb' explosion that damaged police SUV

A metal "pipe bomb" was set off and damaged a Thurmont police vehicle early Wednesday morning, according to the department.

Residents began calling 911 at about 12:30 a.m. in the area of Clark Avenue after hearing what sounded like an explosion, according to a press release issued at 9 a.m. Wednesday. A female resident noticed a Thurmont police vehicle parked nearby was damaged and alerted authorities, who eventually concluded that an explosive device of some kind had been detonated, said Thurmont police Chief Greg Eyler.

"One of my officers went to his residence and parked his cruiser on the street as he usually does at about midnight and then around 12:30 one of the neighbors heard a big explosion," Eyler said. "… It looked like a metal pipe bomb was detonated on the hood and the windshield of the cruiser."

No one was injured by the explosion and Thurmont Police were receiving assistance from the Frederick County Fire Marshal's Office, the county sheriff's office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Eyler said.

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