Two Arrested On Explosives Charges in Grand Junction

An investigation Monday evening in Grand Junction has lead to the arrest of two individuals on explosives charges.

According to the Mesa County Sheriff's Office, a 911 call from a concerned neighbor is what set the investigation into motion. The caller was concerned that nearby residents might be making a toxic substance by mixing chemicals.

What Investigators Found

Just after 9:00pm on Monday, Mesa County Sheriff's Office deputies were called to an apartment in the 2900 block of Orchard Avenue. Inside the apartment were two individuals and three bottles containing an unknown substance.

The Grand Junction Fire Department Hazmat Team was called in and nearby residents were instructed to close their windows and stay inside as a precaution. After investigating the apartment, the Hazmat Team made the determination that the area was safe. The exact nature of the chemicals found was not released.

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Charges Filed

The two occupants of the apartment were identified as 33-year-old Robert Blagg and 33-year-old Sharma Roberts. Both individuals were arrested on a charge of Possession, Use, or Removal of Explosives or Incendiary Devices/Possession of Components Thereof. Blagg and Roberts were both booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility early Tuesday morning.

At this point, we don't really know the intentions of these two individuals, but we do know their plans were interrupted by a concerned citizen who had enough sense to call authorities about a questionable situation. Whenever we hear local law enforcement agencies talk about fighting crime we hear them stress the importance of community involvement in the fight. Local police offices can't do it alone, because it is just impossible for them to see and be aware of every little thing that is happening in the county. They need the eyes and ears of local residents who will be concerned enough to report suspicious behavior.