Tri-City bomb squad assists in Othello

OTHELLO – The bomb squad responded to a house Wednesday, Nov. 2, after deputies discovered a suspicious device while searching for a wanted man.

The device was discovered in the 300 block of Reynolds Road, Sheriff Dale Wager said, noting deputies were searching for Nicholas Romero-Rivera, 34, of Othello.

Romero-Rivera is wanted on possible charges of second-degree assault-domestic violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a sawed-off shotgun and several active warrants.

He is accused of being involved in a Friday, Oct. 28, domestic violence incident in which a sawed-off shotgun was brandished at the same location of Wednesday's search.

As deputies were preparing to impound a vehicle at the scene, they noticed a possible explosive device between the front seats, the Sheriff's Office reported.

A derogatory message to law enforcement was scrawled across the windshield of the vehicle, the report said.

The Sheriff's Office asked for assistance from the Tri-City area bomb squad in clearing the vehicle, the report said.

Several area residents were evacuated while the bomb squad removed the device.

Romero-Rivera remains on the lam.

"Nicholas is still at large and is known to be armed and dangerous," Sheriff' Wagner said. "If you know his whereabouts please contact the Sheriff's Office."

The sheriff has yet to say if the vehicle was found to be explosive.

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