Police ask for help in finding stolen nuclear density gauges
Two nuclear density gauges, containing radioactive isotopes, were reported stolen Thursday and police are asking the public to help find them.
The Metropolitan Police Department said the two gauges were stolen from a garage in the 4000 block of Meadow Valley Lane, near the intersection of Alta Drive and South Valley View Boulevard. Metro is searching for them with the Division of Public and Behavioral Health.
The gauges contain the radioactive isotopes Americium 241 and Cesium 137, according to the Division of Public and Behavioral Health. Breaking them open them could create a health hazard, the division said.
“The radiation sources were secured in transport cases when taken and were trigger locked, so the sources of radiation could not be deployed easily, although anyone who comes into contact with the device should use extreme caution,” a statement from the Division of Public and Behavioral Health said.
Police advised extreme caution for anyone coming into contact with the devices, which are 6 inches-by-9 inches-by-15 inches with yellow bodies and digital keypads.
Anyone with information on this incident can contact Metro at 702-828-3111 or the Radiation Control Program at 877-438-7231.
Contact Christian Bertolaccini at cbertolaccini@reviewjournal.com and 702-383-0381. Follow @bertolaccinic on Twitter.
