Bomb squad responds after ‘pipe bombs’ reportedly found in vehicle near Provo mall

At 10:30 a.m., Provo police responded to a call in the area of the Provo Town Centre Mall about a man in a vehicle who was brandishing what appeared to be a gun.

Officers searched the area and found the suspect, later identified as 41-year-old Eric Whitaker, still in his vehicle in the area of 1200 South, Town Centre Blvd, near a church.

According to police, the initial investigation found that Whitaker had allegedly been in possession of a handgun and ammunition. Police also reportedly found items that looked like Improvised Explosive Devices, which led to a bomb squad response.

Police said that four total devices that seemed to be pipe bombs were safely removed from the area. Whitaker was booked in the Utah County Jail for Possession of an Incendiary Device, a second-degree felony.

The investigation is still ongoing.