Milwaukie bomb scare leads to evacuation

The father of the two men arrested at the scene speaks

By Anthony Roberts

The Clackamas Review, Mar 12, 2010, Updated Mar 16, 2010 (1 Reader comment)

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About 10 homes in Milwaukie’s Linwood neighborhood were evacuated on March 11 while an explosives unit investigated items found in an area home. Two men in the home were arrested on charges unrelated to the items.

Milwaukie Police later said the chemicals were legal, but they’re still investigating the case.

Officer Ulli Neitch said the investigators were conducting interviews and analyzing documentation, though she could not say what the documentation was related to.

The incident occurred when a Clackamas County civil deputy saw the items when he was in a home along the 11000 block of SE 54th Place at approximately 2:30 p.m. Police arrived and determined the items needed further evaluation, and called in the Portland Police Explosives Disposal Unit. The Clackamas County Fire Department came to the area and was on stand-by.

The bomb squad tested several of the items and found they were legal household chemicals. Police said the chemicals could potentially be dangerous if combined.

"In our post 9/11 environment, and with incidents of domestic terrorism, the Milwaukie Police thoroughly investigate suspicious activities,” Chief Bob Jordan stated in a release. “To protect our community, it is better to be safe, than sorry."

Two adult males in the house were arrested for probation violations. Geoffrey Williamson, 20, was on probation for ID theft and Ryan Casey Williamson, 28, was on probation for escape II.

Police cleared the scene around 6:30 p.m., at that time opening streets and allowing residents to return to their homes.

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