Thurston deputies find man slumped over steering wheel, clutching pipe bomb

A 43-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of multiple crimes Friday afternoon after he was found slumped over a car steering wheel with a pipe bomb, Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders said in a social media post.

Deputies were dispatched Friday to a suspicious vehicle in the area of 148th Avenue Southeast at Vail Road, south of Yelm.

When deputies arrived, they found a man nodding off and holding on to what was later confirmed to be a homemade pipe bomb, Sanders said.

Sanders provided details about the incident in his post, but also additional details as he responded to commenters.

“(Washington State Patrol) Bomb squad tested the device and confirmed it was a homemade pipe bomb,” he said in response to one question.

The man was booked on suspicion of unlawful possession of explosives without a license and possession and use of a controlled substance. He also had an outstanding warrant for carrying a concealed pistol without a permit.

This story was originally published September 7, 2025 at 11:50 AM.