North Dakota man accused of storing 1,400 pounds of explosives in garage

WILLISTON, N.D. — A North Dakota man is accused of storing more than 1,400 pounds of explosives in the garage of his townhouse-style apartment, authorities said.

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Ross Michael Petrie, 28, of Williston, was arrested Wednesday and charged with release of destructive forces, a Class C felony, according to Williams County online court records.

The Williston Police Department confirmed that approximately 1,471 pounds of homemade explosive materials were found in the garage during their investigation, the Williston Herald reported. The materials consisted of powders and other materials used to make explosives, according to the newspaper.

Authorities said that Petrie placed other residents at risk of serious bodily injury or death, and could have caused substantial damage to the building, the Minot Daily News reported.

“The release of 1,000 pounds of explosive materials would have catastrophic consequences for not just the immediate building, but the entire complex,” an arrest affidavit said.

Police originally responded to the apartment at 3:54 p.m. CDT on Monday after receiving a report of possible narcotic activity, the Herald reported. Police discovered the materials during their investigation and immediately had the apartment building and one next to it evacuated, according to the newspaper.

Police confirmed that the suspected items were explosive materials.

The Minot Bomb Squad, Bismarck Bomb Squad and the North Dakota National Guard’s 81st Civil Support Team were called to assist the Williston Police Department in identifying some of the materials, the Daily News reported.

“We have some of the highest trained individuals in the state brought in for this,” Williston Fire Chief Matt Clark said at a news conference.

Approximately 924 pounds of the explosive materials were destroyed as of Friday afternoon, the Herald reported.

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