Investigators are on the hunt for the suspect or suspects who blew up two porta potties at Nicasio Reservoir on the night of Feb. 22, the latest in a string of explosions in rural West Marin. The blast destroyed both of the reservoir’s porta potties, scattering toilet paper and debris around the site on the Point Reyes-Petaluma Road.
Marin Water, which owns the property, has replaced the toilets with new ones, and rangers are investigating the incident. Authorities have not yet determined a motive or identified the type of device that was used. The sheriff’s department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms have joined the investigation.
Deputy Roberto Walton, who handles cases on water district property, has asked anyone who has seen suspicious activity at the reservoir or heard explosions nearby to contact him at [email protected]. In a post on NextDoor, he wrote: “This is not the first time this has happened, and while no one has been hurt, we want to make sure it stays that way.”
The incident is the latest in a string of explosions in isolated locations around West Marin since 2022, according to Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Adam Schermerhorn. These acts of vandalism have destroyed or damaged restrooms, trees, a mailbox and a gate. One incident involved a pipe bomb and several involved illegal fireworks.
Some of the explosions have been quite powerful, including the latest at the reservoir. “Based on the size of the explosion, allied agencies were requested to try and identify the explosive or ordnance used,” Sgt. Schermerhorn said.
Similar incidents are regularly reported nationwide and many have been attributed to pranksters.