Full Notification

On September 6, 2019 at approximately 8:08 a.m., Pulaski County Communications was contacted in reference to suspicious device being located by the Pulaski County Maintenance Department. The suspicious device was located inside of the Pulaski County Courthouse located in the 100 block of East Main Street, Winamac, Indiana.

The subsequent investigation revealed that a suspicious device had been located by the Pulaski County Maintenance Department on September 6, 2019 at approximately 6:30 a.m. The suspicious device was located by maintenance personnel in public restroom located in the basement of the Pulaski County Courthouse. The suspicious device was concealed and not found to be out in the open at the time of its discovery. The suspicious device was reported by the employee to the Pulaski County Maintenance Director who contacted Pulaski County Communications to report the suspicious device.

The Indiana State Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) responded due to the nature of the device to assist with the investigation and identify the suspicious device. It was determined that there had been no threats, verbal or written, made against employees working in the courthouse, the courthouse itself, or Pulaski County. The suspicious device was examined by the ATF and found to contain no explosive or incendiary components. The ATF determined they would not be conducting any further tests or examinations of the suspicious device.

Pulaski County Emergency Management was also contacted and responded to assist with the investigation.

The Indiana State Police EOD Team and assisting personnel completed a check of multiple county offices which resulted in no additional suspicious devices being located.

The Pulaski County Commissioners were contacted and updated during the course of this investigation and made the decision to close county offices in the courthouse and county annex building for the safety of the employees during the ongoing investigation. All county offices in the courthouse and county annex are expected to reopen on Monday, September 9, 2019.

The Winamac Police Department will be the primary reporting agency for the investigation while being assisted by the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office and Pulaski County Prosecutor’s Office.

At this time there is believed to be no threat the Pulaski County Courthouse has been deemed safe.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Winamac Police Department at (574) 946-4800 or the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office at (574) 946-6655.