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FBI Billboard About Bombing Confuses Salem

POSTED: 6:54 pm PST February 27, 2009
UPDATED: 7:11 pm PST February 27, 2009

Residents in Salem say a billboard is making them wonder what's going on in the case of the Woodburn bank bombing.

An explosion on Dec. 12 killed two officers and seriously wounded Woodburn’s police chief. But this week an electronic billboard began displaying an advertisement that says the FBI is looking for information about Bruce and Josh Turnidge, the father and son who were arrested several days after the bombing and charged with the crime.

The plea from the FBI is one of several messages that cycle through an electronic billboard on South Commercial Street in Salem.

The sign, and information newly released in an affidavit for a search warrant for the Turnidges property have people talking about a case many thought was solved.

Information released in recent court documents suggests that the Turnidges planned the crime over a period of years.

Police with search warrants said they found explosive residue, tools, metal and wiring in and around Bruce Turnidge’s home in Jefferson.

Officers also said they have cell phones, video surveillance pictures, cars and DNA evidence linking both men and their wives to the crimes, according to the court affidavits.

In the court documents, investigators also quote a friend of Josh Turnidge, who said that Josh made prank bomb threats to another Woodburn bank in 1994.

Investigators said the same friend heard both Turnidges repeatedly talk about robbing banks over the years and that they also thought out loud about causing an explosion as a diversion while robbing a bank on the other side of town.

In the affidavit, one investigator theorized that the deadly explosion in Woodburn could have been a diversion meant to distract police.

The billboard that went up in south Salem distracted some drivers.

One man who works nearby said he thought something may have changed with the Turnidges.

"I first noticed the sign on the billboard yesterday and my first impression was, I can't believe that these guys are on the loose after what they did. What I'm hearing though is that law enforcement agencies just want more information," said Laine Larson, who works near the sign.

The next hearing for Bruce and Josh Turnidge is set for March 4 in Salem.

FBI Billboard About Bombing Confuses Salem

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