Tacoma police are investigating why a Tideflats employee had what appears to be chemicals used to make explosive devices in his locker.

Investigators have taken the employee into custody at his East Side Tacoma home. They were waiting for a warrant to search his home further, police spokesman Andrew Hankins said.

The investigation began about 10:35 a.m. today.

A worker at Graymont Western U.S. Inc., 1220 E. Alexander Ave., contacted management about some suspicious items in the man's locker, Hankins said.

Management checked it out and found the suspicious items that possibly could be used to make explosive devices. They called Tacoma police.

The police department's bomb technicians were evaluating the materials and the Tacoma Fire Department was standing by, Hankins said.

The man wasn't at work today. Officers went to his home, contacted him and took him into custody. Hankins didn't immediately have the circumstances that led to the man's arrest.

They were waiting for the warrant to see if there was other evidence in his house, Hankins said.

Hankins said it was early in the investigation. It wasn't immediately known why the man had the chemicals and what - if anything - he planned to do with them.

"We are in the early stages," Hankins said. "This is ongoing."

"It sounds like the employee made the right decision to call police," Hankins said.

Update: The man was booked into the Pierce County jail about 3 p.m. on suspicion of possession of an explosive device and resisting arrest.