Fire extinguishers dropped off at Hemet DMV cause evacuation, bomb squad response

HEMET — Bomb squad members were called out to inspect two fire extinguishers a man reportedly placed inside the Hemet DMV office before walking away earlier today. The incident forced the evacuation and closure of the office for about five hours.

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Sheriff’s bomb squad members assisted during today’s incident at Hemet DMV. Will Whelan/Hemet Valley Incidents photo

California Highway Patrol, Hemet Police and Fire Departments, and other emergency personnel, were dispatched to the office around 8 a.m, after DMV employees called 911 to report that an unknown man walked into the office and left two fire extinguishers inside the location.

It was not immediately known if the man threatened anyone at the DMV or if there was anything specifically suspicious about the fire extinguishers, but officials at the scene evacuated the building and requested Riverside County Sheriff’s Hazardous Device Team to the scene to assist.

Bomb squad members soon arrived and sent a robot into the building to conduct a visual and x-ray inspection of the items. After x-raying the fire extinguishers shortly after 1 p.m., officials gave the all clear for the DMV to reopen.

Authorities say they are still searching for the man who caused the evacuation, but have not specified what charges the man could be facing.

The DMV was evacuated after a man dropped off two fire extinguishers inside Hemet DMV. Will Whelan/Hemet Valley Incidents photo

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Trevor Montgomery, 47, recently moved to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.