The Shelby County Sheriff's Department and Shelby County Prosecutor are looking for information on who has been placing explosive devices in mailboxes in Shelby County (one Thursday evening and one Friday night). One is from northwestern Shelby County. The other is from southwestern Shelby County.

It appears that the person(s) responsible are using consumer-grade fireworks. Prosecutor Brad Landwerlen says he is working with two federal Postal Inspectors (one of whom specializes in these investigations), as well as with the Shelby County Sheriff's Department.

Note that one of these incidents started a small fire, which burned out. If caught, the person(s) responsible would face federal felony charges and 5-10 years in federal prison, so long as nobody is injured or killed. If anyone is injured or killed, the person(s) responsible could face north of 30 years in federal prison.

Landwerlen says they have collected parts sufficient to possibly yield DNA from one scene. He further notes a lady he spoke with was concerned because her kids sometimes go to get the mail - what if the kids found it? The primary concern is that this stop before anyone does get hurt.

Anyone with information on these crimes should contact the Shelby County Sheriff's Department at 317-398-6661.