just got this from a friend in San Diego

Geocaching "pipebomb"

Hi Connie,
Geocaching made the evening news here in San Diego.  Seems around noon the bomb squad was called to a location on Mission Bay for what appeared to be a pipe bomb.  After investigating the fire department's PR person announced it was a geocach object.  He sort of said (paraphrasing) it's ok for people to have fun, but in today's world making a device that looks like a bomb and placing it near a beach isn't the wisest move.
 
Perhaps some of your geocaching friends in this area have heard more about the drama of the day.
 
Frank