Bay Area Arson Arrest, Feb. 22

CBPD release – North Bend and Coos Bay Police Department Investigate Arson in both Cities. On Wednesday, February 20, 2019, at approximately 10:33 am, members of the North Bend Police and Fire Departments responded to a report of a possible explosion at an occupied residence on Brussells Street in North Bend.  Upon arrival, Police officers and Firefighters discovered damage to the residence where a window was shattered and evidence of a small fire that was subsequently extinguished. Further Investigation revealed that the residence on Brussells was struck with a manufactured incendiary explosive device. At approximately 11:05 am on the same date, members of the Coos Bay Police and Fire Departments responded to an occupied residence on 17th avenue in Coos Bay on a report of a house fire.  A resident at the Coos Bay home received injuries as a result of the fire and was transported by ambulance to Bay Area Hospital. Investigation into the cause of the house fire revealed that it too was caused by a similar manufactured incendiary explosive device. Further investigation led investigating officers to identify a possible suspect, who was later interviewed and subsequently charged with two counts of Arson I, one count of attempted Arson I, and three counts of Unlawful Manufacture of a Destructive Device.  This subject was identified as 30 year old Coos Bay resident Chad Bunnell.  Subsequent to the investigation, Bunnell was transported and lodged at the Coos County Jail. This investigation was conducted with the cooperation of the following agencies; Oregon State Police / Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives / Coos Bay Police and Fire Departments / North Bend Police and Fire Departments, State Fire Marshall’s Office, Southwestern Oregon Fire Investigation Team, and the Coos County District Attorney’s Office. This Press Release was Authorized by North Bend and Coos Bay Police Department.