Bomb-making materials discovered in vehicle

A Saline County deputy on Saturday discovered possible bomb-making items inside a vehicle of a man who had been treated at Harrisburg Medical Center for injuries resulting from a minor vehicle crash the day before.

According to the Saline County Sheriff's Office, Patrick T. Ohern, 63, of Crown Point, Indiana, had been involved in a minor wreck on Friday on U.S. 45 North near Muddy. Ohern later was taken to HMC for treatment, where he was found to have a firearm on him, according to the sheriff's office.

Ohern possesses a valid concealed carry permit from Indiana, the sheriff's office said.

On Saturday, HMC security staff reported to Saline County Deputy Charles Welge of "the concern of Ohern," according to a news release, and said that Ohern's vehicle needed to be removed from the HMC parking lot.

As Welge did an inventory of the vehicle, several items "consistent with bomb-making materials and an item that appeared to be a pipe bomb" were discovered in the vehicle. The area was secured and the Secretary of State Police Bomb Squad was called to remove the items.

Harrisburg Police Department assisted the sheriff's office and Secretary of State Police.

The investigation into the incident is continuing, according to the sheriff's office.