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Florida Man's Hobby Rockets Spark Bomb Squad Response

3/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

On March 22, the Florida Highway Patrol heightened alert after motorists reported a truck carrying missiles and stopped Michael Nipper, a 69-year-old rocket enthusiast from Tampa, who received no ticket.
Nipper explained the missiles were harmless hobby rockets.
A label reading "15 lbs. of explosives" prompted a bomb squad response.
Authorities later confirmed the rockets were plastic models.
Officer Gaskins praised the troopers for their calm handling of the situation.

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Story summary

On March 22, the Florida Highway Patrol heightened alert after motorists reported a truck carrying missiles and stopped Michael Nipper, a 69-year-old rocket enthusiast from Tampa, who received no ticket.
Nipper explained the missiles were harmless hobby rockets.
A label reading "15 lbs. of explosives" prompted a bomb squad response.
Authorities later confirmed the rockets were plastic models.
Officer Gaskins praised the troopers for their calm handling of the situation.