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Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
MORENO VALLEY, Calif — A second batch of dynamite surfaced Thursday, a week after some 500 pounds of explosives were stolen from a Big Bear City gold mine, authorities said.
A plastic bag filled with sticks of dynamite was left in front of a fire station, prompting authorities to close off surrounding streets while the explosives were safely removed.
It was a similar scene to Wednesday, when two plastic containers filled with at least 200 pounds of dynamite were dropped off in front of a fire station in nearby Riverside.
Authorities have determined the Riverside batch was connected to the May 3 theft at Gold Mountain Mine Co. Employees reported about 500 pounds of explosives and a 30-pound bag of ammonium nitrate were taken from a storage bunker at the gold mine.
Authorities have yet to connect Thursday’s dynamite to the theft, which prompted federal authorities to offer a $25,000 reward for information.
''There is a possibility this may be part of what was stolen earlier,’' sheriff’s Sgt. Dennis Gutierrez said.
Gold Mountain holds a federal explosives license and was storing the explosives properly, according to officials with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.