A suspicious device attached to a police car was discovered Tuesday, in another possible attempt to harm law enforcement officers in Hemet.
Authorities noted, however, that the mechanism appeared to have been placed on the vehicle before the recent arrests of two suspects in the attacks that began earlier this year.
The device was located about 11:40 a.m. during an inspection of patrol vehicles parked at the City Yard, 3077 Industrial Ave., according to Hemet police Lt. Duane Wisehart. He said the area was evacuated, and Riverside County sheriff's bomb technicians secured the instrument.
"This device could have been attached to the vehicle at any time in the last 60 days," the lieutenant said. "Investigators believe they have the suspects in these attacks in custody and that this device was simply not discovered until today."
On Saturday, Hemet police Chief Richard Dana announced that Nicholas John Smit, 39, of Hemet, and Steven Hanson, 36, of Homeland, were arrested in connection with at least one or more of the seven attacks on Hemet police and county anti-gang officers since Dec. 31.
The District Attorney's Office is expected to announce charges in the case Wednesday.
The men were taken into custody Friday, following a multi-agency investigation that included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI.
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Two other suspects are still being sought, and the $200,000 reward for information in the case remains active, the police chief said.
Authorities believe a June 28 arson fire at the Hemet police evidence storage facility was the most recent attack. The fire caused significant damage to the building and its contents, including evidence being held for various criminal cases, Wisehart said.
On June 4, someone tried to launch a bazooka rocket with a non-explosive head at the Hemet police station, but the engine fizzled out, and the rocket landed in a garbage pile, igniting it.
On April 12, a fire was lit at the Hemet police shooting range.
On March 23, four city code enforcement trucks were torched in the Hemet City Hall parking lot.
On March 5, a member of the Hemet-San Jacinto Gang Task Force found a pipe bomb dangling from his unmarked patrol unit when he pulled into a gas station.
On Feb. 23, a member of the task force opened a gate at the task force's headquarters and was nearly struck by a bullet discharged by a homemade "zip gun," rigged to shoot when the gate moved.
The string of attacks started New Year's Eve, when someone rerouted a natural gas line into the task force's headquarters building, setting the stage for a potential explosion.
The Hemet City Council authorized the department in April to supply personnel with all means necessary to combat the attacks and protect themselves.
Tipsters were urged to contact the Hemet Police Department at 951-765- 3897.
