Explosive in Riihimäki bomb case lay on well cover for over a month, new police report filed

The explosive that triggered a danger notice in Riihimäki this week is likely the same device that a metal detector enthusiast found on a field in April, and it apparently remained on a well cover for more than a month, according to Häme police chief Kari Puolitaival, as reported by Yle.

Police received a report of an explosive on the field in April but did not go to the scene to search, instead attempting to contact the person who reported it. The device was later found again this week, leading to a new notification to the National Prosecutor’s Office regarding police conduct in April. Puolitaival said the notification currently carries no specific criminal charge or suspicion.

Metal detector hobbyist Jari Salmi told Yle he discovered the bomb in April, placed it on a well cover, and called the emergency centre. Only the emergency centre called him back, Salmi said. Police did not call him, and he offered to provide photos and location guidance. He saw the bomb on the cover still three weeks later. He contacted emergency again after news broke this week that a dangerous explosive had been taken from the same field.

The bomb was not guarded after its discovery this week, and the area was not immediately cordoned. Police left the scene, and the explosive ended up in the possession of an unknown person. A police patrol is suspected of dereliction of duty, and Häme police have filed a criminal report. The case is being investigated by a prosecutor for police crimes.

Police suspect an adult male of taking the explosive from the field. The bomb, a World War II-era incendiary device, was missing for about a day and was considered life-threatening. Police have interviewed the man, and the motive is being investigated. Authorities asked a man and a child on a bicycle near the field to contact police; the suspect is a man who was with a child. The cordon was lifted Thursday evening, and the danger notice was withdrawn earlier that afternoon.