Man arrested for detonating pipe bomb, threatening harm

Nov. 7, 2022 - On Saturday, Nov. 5, at 11:14 p.m., the Florence Police Department was called to a residence in the 3400 block of Rhododendron Drive for reports that a male subject had detonated a pipe bomb and was threatening to hurt himself with another explosive device. 

When officers arrived they found the subject, George Clifford, holding a pipe bomb and threatening to detonate it. 

Officers were able to initiate a conversation with Clifford. After a lengthy negotiation, officers were able to convince Clifford to set the pipe bomb down. Officers were then able to take control of Clifford and safely placed him into custody.

An investigation revealed that Clifford had set off one pipe bomb in the backyard of the residence, had one pipe bomb that he had been holding and that there were at least two other pipe bombs in the garage of the residence.

Officers were also told that there was gun powder in a bedroom of the residence.

The Eugene Police Dept Explosive Disposal Unit (EDU) was contacted and responded to make the residence safe.

Clifford was placed under arrest for Possession of a Destructive Device, Disorderly Conduct, Reckless Endangering and Unlawful Manufacturing a Destructive Device. He was taken to the Florence City Jail and later transported to Lane County Adult Corrections. 

The EDU was able to safely remove the three explosive devices to a safe location and detonate them in a controlled manner. The EDU located other dangerous material in the home that it was able to safely remove and destroy. 

Western Lane Fire and EMS Authority responded and stood by while EDU made the devices and material safe.