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Suspected Metal Thieves Hurt By Explosion

Authorities say two people stealing scrap metal on federally-managed land in southern New Mexico were injured when an item they picked up detonated.

Otero County Sheriff Benny House says a group was loading unexploded ordnance at McGregor Range near Chaparral on Saturday afternoon when a shell detonated in their vehicle.

House says two females were taken to a hospital in El Paso, Texas. He did not know the extent of their injuries.

Two men who were there were uninjured.

According to House, a perimeter has been set up around their vehicle on Highway 54 near a turnoff for a county prison.

House says Fort Bliss officials and the FBI are taking over the investigation and making sure nothing else may detonate.

He says the group will likely face criminal charges.

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