Springfield police pull over driver — and find a bomb

A routine traffic stop turned into something completely different when police say they located an improvised explosive device in the possession of the Springfield man they'd pulled over.

Jason Kumnick, 42, had been pulled over near National Avenue and Calhoun Street by a Springfield police officer around noon on June 30 when the officer located a suspected IED in the vehicle, according to court documents. Fire Marshal Bill Spence and another officer, both certified bomb technicians, later confirmed this suspicion.

Further examination of the IED showed that it contained all the necessary components of an explosive device and contained shrapnel in the form of coins. The documents state the device was "capable of causing severe physical injury or death."

The documents say Kumnick told police the device was his and that he had built it. He was charged with unlawful possession of an illegal weapon.

Assistant Fire Chief Randy Villines said that the device was confiscated by the fire marshal, and it was later dismantled and the parts placed into storage. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Kumnick's bond was set at $75,000.