MILAN, MO. -- Local and federal investigators are trying to figure out who made a pipe bomb found on the east edge of Milan Thursday.

It was in the grass by a manhole near the intersection of Route C and Business Highway 5.

A couple of city water employees discovered the explosive device just before 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Once Milan Police Chief Maurice May confirmed it was a pipe bomb, he called in explosives experts from the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

They disarmed the device and took it away for examination.

"It was a piece of 1 1/2" pipe…, and it had two PVC caps glued on the end of it, and it looked like there was a little wick coming out of the end, maybe a fuse or something like that," said Jeremy Bennett, who found the device.

The police chief told KTVO the pipe bomb was about 16.5” long.

Reporter: "Is there any suspect at this time or do you know how it got here?"

Chief May: "That's under investigation right now."

Reporter: "Can you tell me if you have any leads?"

Chief may: "No, I can't tell you that."

May would only say the investigation is ongoing. He would not tell us if they have any idea who may have made the explosive.

Authorities shut down the roads around where the device was found until it was taken away.

The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol assisted the Milan Police Department and the ATF.