Suspicious Device Found Near Lakeside Center In Ankeny

Press release from the City of Ankeny:

March 2, 2021

Today at approximately 9:25 a.m., Ankeny Police officers were called to the Lakeside Center, 400 NW Lakeshore Drive, in reference to a suspicious device. When officers arrived they observed what appeared to be a pipe bomb. The Lakeside Center was being used as a polling location today for the Ankeny Community School District special election and officers immediately evacuated the building.

After a perimeter was established, the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s office was contacted and they sent personnel to further investigate the device. Also, on scene were agents from local ATF and FBI offices. The device was made safe at roughly 11:50 a.m. Investigators collected evidence from the scene and the Lakeside Center has reopened.

Anyone with any information about this device is encouraged to call the Ankeny Police Department at (515) 289-5240 or Polk Co. Dispatch at (515) 286-3333 and ask to speak with an officer from the Ankeny Police Department.

This press release was produced by the City of Ankeny. The views expressed here are the author’s own.