3 Teens Allegedly Detonated Homemade Bombs In Woods

WEST VIEW (KDKA) -- Three teenagers are facing charges after police in West View say they caught them detonating homemade bombs in the woods.

Police responded because people thought shots were being fired.

Officers set up a perimeter and saw flashes in the woods, but then say they realized they were dealing with teenagers setting off bombs made with pop bottles.

Austin Simmons, 18, and two 17-year-olds have been charged.

Police say knives were found in the pockets of the teens when they searched them.

West View Chief Bruce Fromlak says that's when one of the 17-year-olds gave away his alleged involvement in a number of tire slashings.

Eight vehicles recently had tires slashed. The two 17-year-olds are charged in the vandalism; however, Simmons is not.

Chief Fromlak says the bombs were powerful enough that one of the teens could have severely injured himself.

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