Nuclear Device Stolen from Pickup

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has put out an advisory that a portable device storing radioactive materials was missing from a company pick-up truck in Norfolk, VA.

The radioactive materials present no hazard to the public, NRC said, but could endanger any person tampering with the device.

Foundation Engineering Science Inc., the owner of the pickup, reported that one of its employees was shopping at a Wal-Mart store on October 18. Upon returning to the truck after shopping, the worker discovered the device was missing.

The company admitted that the container that held the device was left unlocked and was not secured to the vehicle, which violates NRC regulations. NRC will determine whether the company will be penalized.

Security videotape showed two individuals taking the device and driving off in a blue car at about 10 a.m. that day.