Crimeupdated 1h ago2 min read
MapFBI Investigates Credible Bomb Threat Near BioUrja Renewables Ethanol Plant in Peoria
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Suspicious device found at BioUrja Renewables ethanol plant in Peoria, triggering one-mile evacuations. Police and FBI declared a credible threat and rendered the device safe.
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Bomb Near BioUrja
A bomb was found near the BioUrja Renewables ethanol plant in Peoria, Illinois, prompting evacuations within a 1-mile radius as law enforcement investigated, authorities said Saturday. Peoria Police Chief Brad Dixon told reporters just after midnight Saturday, "This is a credible threat," and he said, "We need to take the blast radius seriously." FBI Special Agent Ryan Pressley said the FBI was investigating and declined to provide further details, while Peoria Mayor Rita Ali said BioUrja is "a plant that has ethanol and highly combustible types of chemicals, and so that’s what alarms us."
“No arrests have been made at this time and no injuries have been reported.”
Authorities said the device had been “rendered safe,” but they kept residents under an evacuation notice as officials continued to scour the facility for any other bombs and evidence. No arrests had been made at the time authorities spoke, and no injuries had been reported.
Evacuation Order and Search
Peoria police said a suspicious package was found near the BioUrja ethanol plant at approximately 2 p.m. on Friday and that hours later it was determined to be a "credible threat." Dixon said, "Notifications were sent out with an evacuation order in the one-mile blast radius" from the BioUrja facility, and he added that the package was "rendered safe" at 9:12 p.m. while searches continued. Ryan Presley said the FBI deployed personnel to work alongside the Peoria Police Department, the Peoria Fire Department, the Peoria County Sheriff's Department, the Illinois Secretary of State's Office and Illinois State Police.
The NBC News report said the area "has not been rendered safe," and Dixon warned, "There’s going to be an exhaustive search of the facility that has not been completed yet." The CNN report said shelters were set up and investigators were searching the facility for other possible devices as the evacuation order remained in place.
Officials, Shelters, and Fallout
Peoria Mayor Rita Ali told reporters on Friday night that authorities knew it was a bomb, saying, "We know it is a credible threat. We know it is a bomb," while she said it was unknown whether there were other devices at the site.
“I am actively monitoring the bomb threat in Peoria, and I have directed the Illinois State Police to coordinate with local authorities.”
FBI Special Agent Ryan Pressley said, "we will work tirelessly to identify the person responsible and bring them to justice," and he described the investigation as early while authorities combed the large complex for evidence.
Authorities opened shelters at Manual Academy High School in Peoria and at the EastSide Centre sports complex in East Peoria, and the Peoria Police Department advised those needing shelter to go to Manual Academy.
Jon Pardi canceled his concert because it was in the area, and he posted, "Peoria we're disappointed we won't get to spend tonight with you..."
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said on social media, "I am actively monitoring the bomb threat in Peoria, and I have directed the Illinois State Police to coordinate with local authorities."