Las Crucens concerned after suspicious device found at church

ABC-7 is learning more about the suspicious device that was found in front of a Las Cruces church.

The device was found Friday morning at First Presbyterian Church on the 200 block of Boutz Road across the street from Las Cruces High School.

This is just two weeks after bombings at two other Las Cruces Churches.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is now investigating to see if the incidents are related.

A member of the church who was there when the suspicious device was found
tells ABC-7 he clearly saw it was a pipe with batteries and a timing device.

Police haven’t confirmed what type of device was found but there’s no doubt this is all very alarming for the entire community:

On August 2nd the scene was chaotic at Calvary Baptist Church after an explosive went off. A short while later another explosive device went off at Holy Cross Church.

Friday morning, it was a similar scene at yet another church: First Presbyterian.

The three incidents have Las Cruces residents concerned.

“Finding it at a church it’s just kind of crazy that people could be heartless to place it at a place of prayer,” Las Cruces resident Isaac Olivas said.

“It definitely makes me fear for my life,” Daryl Dickerson told ABC-7.

Authorities say a grounds keeper found a suspicious device at around 9:30 Friday morning.

He called 911 and within minutes police closed off streets and nearby businesses were evacuated.

Las Cruces High school which is located across the street was conducted a shelter in place.

Olivas has two daughters that attend the school.

“As soon as I got word that they put a bomb across the street well it can turn your life around,” Olivas said.

Olivas told ABC-7 what his daughter experienced inside the school.

“They kept them in the class room. They didn’t let them out at all and had them in for a few hours. They brought them lunches too just to kind of accommodate them,” Olivas said.

The Dona Ana Sheriffs Bomb Squad dismantled the device and no one was injured.

The FBI is now conducting the investigation and interviewed several people Saturday morning.

Las Crucens hope all churches follow police advice and add more security.

“Preparing for the worst case scenario just kind of pre-screening the whole environment the day before and the day of worship,” said Dickerson.

“They could have some type of police squad giving out surveillance to help them out,” Olivas said.

Worshipers like Bruce Jackson say it’s all about vigilance.

“I don’t think we need police officers or people carrying guns. I don’t think that’s necessary but I do think we have to use wisdom and we have to use the ushers and the security team to surround the church and be watchful and all the people that attend church have to be watchful,” said Jackson.

One of the church members who was there when they found the device told me ABC-7 was shocked. Saying that area of the church where the device was found is used by the Las Cruces High School marching band. Even telling ABC-7 he’s seen students taking a break sitting in the exact spot where the device was found.

Las Cruces police plan to conduct K-9 sweeps of churches and places of worship over the next couple of days looking for suspicious items.

If you have any information on any of the devices you’re asked to call the FBI.