PAYETTE, ID – A man was arrested in Payette, Idaho, on New Year’s Day after authorities discovered an improvised explosive device (IED) on a train car. The incident unfolded around 6 p.m., when local law enforcement received reports of a suspicious individual attempting to ignite an object near a parked railroad car on North 8th Street.
Upon arrival, officers discovered fresh footprints in the snow, leading them to a train car where they found an undetonated IED. Following the trail of footprints, officers tracked the suspect to a nearby camp trailer. The man, identified as 40-year-old Branch Awry, attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended after a brief pursuit.
Awry was initially detained on unrelated warrants, but additional charges were filed, including possession of a destructive device, a felony offense. He also faces charges of possessing a controlled substance, another felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor. Additionally, Awry is accused of resisting and obstructing officers during the arrest.
Due to the potential threat posed by the IED, the police called in the bomb squad to handle the situation. The squad utilized a specialized robot to safely remove and detonate the device. As a precaution, Union Pacific halted all train traffic through the area for approximately five hours until the scene was deemed secure.
Federal authorities, including an FBI agent, were also on-site to assist with the investigation. A search warrant executed on the camp trailer revealed items similar to the explosive device found on the train car, as well as controlled substances and drug paraphernalia.
Federal charges related to the possession and manufacture of a destructive device are pending as the investigation continues. Authorities are working to determine the full scope of the incident and any potential motivations behind the placement of the IED.
The community remains on high alert as the investigation progresses, with law enforcement urging residents to report any suspicious activities. Further updates are expected as the case develops.