Broken Arrow Police discover explosive device during traffic stop

A traffic stop took a dangerous turn early Friday morning when Broken Arrow police discovered a homemade explosive device inside a vehicle.

Wrong-Way Driver Pulled Over

Police say the incident began when an officer spotted a pick-up truck driving the wrong way on the westbound Kenosha exit ramp off the Broken Arrow Expressway.

Officers Discover Improvised Explosive Device

While searching the vehicle, officers found what appeared to be a PVC pipe sealed with end caps and a visible fuse, raising suspicions of a possible explosive.

"The moment that is observed we stop what we're doing,” said Sgt James Koch with the Broken Arrow Police Department. "Everybody stops searching the vehicle or if they are talking to someone next to the vehicle, they stop what they're doing and vacate the area then we create a standoff distance."

The Tulsa Police Department Bomb Squad responded to the scene and confirmed it was an active improvised explosive device, or IED. The device was safely destroyed. "In the time it took them to respond, we just made sure no civilians, no officers, nobody else was in the vicinity and we kept a safe distance," Sgt Koch said.

No Ongoing Public Threat

Authorities confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public. Broken Arrow police say the incident underscores the unpredictable dangers officers can face during seemingly routine traffic stops.

"Whenever we come across an explosive device whether it's active or inactive it doesn't really change things for us. We treat all of them as they're active," Sgt Koch said.

Arrests Made

The driver was arrested on an outstanding felony warrant and possession of drug paraphernalia. A female passenger was also taken into custody for paraphernalia possession.

Police say additional charges related to the possession of the explosive device are pending.