A routine traffic stop in a commercial stretch of Placer County early Tuesday turned into something far more serious when deputies spotted what officials say was an active pipe bomb riding shotgun on the center console.
The county's explosives team was rushed to the scene, where specialists used dedicated equipment to secure and remove the device. For now, authorities are keeping a tight lid on additional details as the investigation moves forward.
What the sheriff's office says
In a post on X, the Placer County Sheriff's Office said a deputy noticed a suspicious metal pipe with end caps and a fuse sitting on the vehicle's center console, then detained both the driver and a passenger.
According to the post, the object was determined to be an active pipe bomb. The agency's explosive ordnance disposal team performed an x-ray and safely retrieved the device.
Records checks identified the driver as 32-year-old Jacob Vanwagoner, who was arrested and booked into the South Placer Jail on charges that include possession of a destructive device, possession of a controlled substance and outstanding warrants. Bail was set at $590,000, per the post.
What the law says
Possessing a destructive device is a felony in California. State law defines destructive devices and criminalizes possession in Penal Code §18710.
Related statutes make it a crime to possess materials used to make explosives and to detonate a device, with serious violations carrying potential multi-year prison terms.
Investigation and next steps
The sheriff's office says the investigation is ongoing, with detectives following up on leads and outstanding warrants tied to the case. Officials have not discussed a possible motive or indicated whether they expect additional arrests.
So far, the agency's initial post on X remains the main public account of what happened. The sheriff's office has signaled that further updates will come as investigators continue their work.
