Pipe bomb disabled near Paularino Elementary

Construction workers found a pipe bomb in a gutter near Paularino Elementary School, but it was disabled without incident, authorities said.

At 6:45 a.m. Tuesday police received a call reporting the explosive in the 3000 block of Coolidge Avenue. After speaking with crews, investigators found that about 4 p.m. Monday one of the crew found the small piece of threaded copper piping with a fuse sticking out of its side, police said.

The man told police he unscrewed one of the galvanized caps, pouring a dark powder out onto the pavement, Sgt. Marty Carver said.

Authorities stress that anyone who finds what appears to be an explosive should call police immediately.

— Kelly Strodl