FBI Investigates Stolen Military Explosives Found in Florida Retirement Community

Residents evacuated as bomb squad clears scene in The Villages

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The FBI has taken over an investigation after stolen military explosives were discovered at a home in The Villages, a large retirement community in Florida. Authorities evacuated nearby residents as a precaution while the bomb squad cleared the hazardous materials from the scene.

Why it matters

The discovery of stolen military explosives in a residential area raises serious concerns about public safety and national security. Authorities will need to determine how the explosives were obtained and whether there are any broader threats or security breaches that need to be addressed.

The details

The Sumter County Sheriff's Office responded to a call about suspected explosive military items at a home in The Villages on Tuesday morning. Deputies evacuated nearby residents as a precaution and the Lake County Bomb Squad was called in to secure the scene. Investigators confirmed the explosives were stolen from the military, and the FBI has taken over the investigation.

  • The incident occurred around 11:07 a.m. on Tuesday, February 11, 2026.

The players

Sumter County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency that initially responded to the scene and evacuated nearby residents.

Lake County Bomb Squad

The specialized unit that was called in to clear the scene of the stolen military explosives.

FBI

The federal law enforcement agency that has taken over the investigation into how the military explosives were obtained and ended up at a residence in The Villages.

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What they’re saying

“We want to thank Lake County for their quick response.”

— Sumter County Sheriff's Office (Facebook)

What’s next

The FBI will continue its investigation to determine the source of the stolen military explosives and whether there are any broader security concerns or threats to public safety.

The takeaway

The discovery of stolen military explosives in a residential community underscores the importance of robust security measures to prevent the misuse of dangerous materials and protect public safety. Authorities will need to thoroughly investigate this incident to address any vulnerabilities in the military supply chain and ensure such breaches do not occur again.