Authorities seek help in Cape Girardeau County bridge investigation

The Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department is seeking the public's help to identify five "persons of interest" in its investigation into an explosion on a bridge between Jackson and Oak Ridge.

Early Sunday morning, someone detonated an explosive device, damaging a bridge on County Road 459 over Byrd Creek, according to a news release from the department.

Officers believe several devices were detonated between Friday night and Sunday morning, the release said.

The Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department wants to question the people pictured in this surveillance video, who are suspected of buying a substance used in an explosive on a county road bridge. (Submitted photo)

During the investigation, authorities determined about five people were seen buying a large quantity of a legal substance believed to be of the same type used in making the device used on the bridge, according to the release.

The sheriff's department released images of people buying the substance on July 21 and Aug. 7 from a local sports retailer.

The department is asking the public to help identify the buyers and a white car, believed to be a Pontiac G6.

The people pictured may not be associated with the explosion, but deputies would like to interview them, the release said.

The FBI and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting the sheriff's department with the investigation.

The Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department released this surveillance image of a white car believed to be used by people who bought a substance used in an explosive device. (Submitted photo)

Anyone who recognizes the people in the photos is asked to call the sheriff's department at 243-3551, the ATF at 335-3163 or the FBI at 335-2511.

Pertinent address:

County Road 459 and Byrd Creek, Jackson, Mo.