A car owner saw someone place a device under his car just before it blew up Oct. 3.

The incident occurred around 4 a.m. in the 4800 block of NW Grover Lane near Kitsap Lake, where deputies found a 2005 black Mercedes with its rear side completely destroyed. The car’s owner told deputies he witnessed a person placing a black box with a flashing red light under the vehicle moments before the explosion.

As the owner approached, the device detonated, severely damaging the car. The suspect fled in a silver Honda, the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office reported.

Authorities from the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, and the State Patrol bomb technicians are assisting local detectives with the investigation. Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue confirmed that the explosion appeared intentional and immediately contacted the county fire marshal. Investigators are gathering information about the suspect and the motive behind the incident.