**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**Contact:**
Chad Flowers  
Public Information Officer  
919-618-1332  
cflowers@ncsbi.gov

(HOKE COUNTY, NC) - The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) Bomb Squad was requested by the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division (ALE) this afternoon around 2:30 pm regarding a possible improvised explosive device (IED).  This event occurred as a result of a traffic stop that developed into a chase, and later, the suspect jumped from the car and ran into the woods off Balfour Rd in Red Springs, NC.  The ALE agents pursued the suspect on foot into a wooded area and down a path.  An agent discovered what appeared to be an IED with a trip wire across the path.  Those agents requested assistance from the SBI Bomb Squad.  The SBI Bomb Squad, the Cumberland County Bomb Squad, the Hoke County Sheriff's Office, and the ATF collectively responded to the scene.  The SBI rendered the possible IED safe and started processing the scene for evidence collection.  The possible IED will be sent to the crime lab for confirmation as a viable IED.  The SBI is assisting other agencies in serving search warrants and collecting evidence at this time.  The ATF will be taking over this case for prosecution. 

The suspect eluded law enforcement, and a search for that individual is active and ongoing.  Additional information will be shared via press releases, social media platforms, and the SBI homepage at www.ncsbi.gov.