Police: Device had a fuse, gunpowder

The man involved in a bomb scare last week that closed down parts of Sahara Avenue and Decatur Boulevard was driving with a manufactured device made up of double-based smokeless gunpowder and a hobby fuse in his vehicle, according to a police report obtained Tuesday.

Police said Todd Smith, 40, faces a felony charge of possession of an explosive device in a public area. He was in the Clark County Detention Center on Tuesday afternoon on $3,000 bail.

The Clark County district attorney's office said that Smith's case is being reviewed and that no decision has been made on whether to prosecute.

Smith was pulled over in his Dodge Ram 3500 pickup June 29 on Sahara just east of Decatur on suspicion of driving under the influence.

During the stop, police learned Smith had warrants for his arrest that included possession of methamphetamine and ex-felon in possession of a firearm. He agreed to let police search his car. Officers discovered the device in a duffle bag, according to the report.

"Upon opening the duffle bag, officers located a box-shaped item wrapped with dark tape," the report said. "In addition, the item possessed a length of green fuse which appeared to encircle the device before disappearing within the upper portion."

Smith told police the device had been in his truck for the two weeks. He said it belonged to an acquaintance who lived with him. He told police he saw the acquaintance manufacture the device.

Police said they rendered the device safe but not before about 20 businesses near Sahara and Decatur were evacuated. Police stopped Smith about 9:17 a.m. Parts of Sahara and Decatur were reopened between 1:15 and 2 p.m. that day.