Senator Calls For Tighter Restrictions on Peroxide

I agree withe Sen. Schumer on this one. Sen. Schumer (D-NY) is calling for a nationwide “awareness” program of sales of peroxide, a chemical widely used in over-the-counter hair dye formulas but also used by terrorists to make explosives.

You may recall, this was one of our suggestions in the recent National Homeland Security Dialogue (QHSR)

A recipe to make a homemade liquid bomb using concentrated peroxide, known as TATP, was found in Zazi’s computer, law enforcement officials say. It was said to be the same recipe used by terrorists in the London transit bombings that killed 56 and wounded more than 700 commuters on July 7, 2005

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Man Charged In Detonation of ‘Drano bomb’ on City Bus

Police have charged a 22-year-old Baltimore man, Alan Weeks, in connection with the detonation of a homemade ‘Drano’ bomb on a city bus earlier this month, according to reports.

Weeks turned himself in Saturday after television stations broadcast closed-circuit surveillance footage of two men who were on the bus moments before the bomb went off, according to charging documents. Weeks said he was one of the men but denied any involvement in the incident. He has been charged with conspiracy to manufacture, possess or distribute a destructive device and related charges.

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Philippines Church Bomb Blast Kills Five

Islamist militants have been blamed for a bomb blast in the Philippines today which killed at least five people and wounded dozens more.

The bomb exploded outside the Immaculate Conception cathedral in Cotabato city, 545 miles (880 kilometers) south of Manila, as church-goers celebrated Mass.

A woman selling roast pork was killed on the spot while four others, including a soldier and three-year-old boy, died in a nearby hospital. Among the wounded were five soldiers who were passing the cathedral in an army van when the device, fashioned from a mortar round, exploded said army spokesman Colonel Jonathan Ponce.

“This is the handiwork of the rogue members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF),” Colonel Ponce told reporters, referring to the Muslim organisation which has waged a decades long battle for self rule in the southern island of Mindanao.

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Detonated Blasting Cap Found On Tracks Near Train Station

Wenham Mass. Kids looking for rocks along the train tracks yesterday made a puzzling discovery: a detonated blasting cap on the tracks near the commuter rail station.

The discovery temporarily shut down a section of the parking lot near the Shoppes at Hamilton Crossing and police made a passing train continue to the Ipswich station without stopping.

Police Sgt. Jeffrey Tobey said there was no evidence of any explosive material on the tracks or else they would have shut down the Newburyport line.

In fact, the detonated blasting cap wasn’t even on the tracks anymore.

Tobey said the two kids brought their discovery to the Hamilton police station down the road.

Hamilton police contacted MBTA police who are now working with the FBI on an investigation, Tobey said.

via Detonated blasting cap found on tracks near train station – SalemNews.com, Salem, MA.

Blast at Luxury Pakistan Hotel Kills Several

Homicide attackers in a truck launched an assault Tuesday on a luxury hotel commonly used by foreigners in Peshawar, firing guns as they stormed past guards and then setting off a huge blast that killed at least five people and wounded 65 more, Pakistani officials said.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack in the largest city in Pakistan’s restive northwest, but it fit the pattern of recent Taliban attacks the militants said were in retaliation for a military campaign against militants in the Swat Valley region.

Local television networks showed part of the Pearl Continental Hotel had been demolished in the blast, reduced to concrete rubble and twisted steel. The scene was pandemonium, with armed police rushing around and Pakistani men standing by looking stunned. One man held a bloodied rag to his head.

Source

Small Bomb Explodes Outside New York Starbucks

A small improvised explosive device detonated outside an Upper East Side Starbucks early Monday morning, shattering the coffee shop’s windows and raising fears of terrorism.

The bomb tore a hole in a wooden bench outside the coffee chain’s outpost at Third Ave. and E. 92nd St. when it exploded at 3:30 a.m.

No one was injured in the blast, but it terrified residents who had been fast asleep early on Memorial Day.

“I heard a giant noise — a big, giant noise, like a crash — and there was a flash,” said Jordan Kovnot, 26, a law student who lives above the Starbucks. “It made me jump up.”

“It felt like an earthquake,” said Adrianna Ebans, 28, who was among more than a dozen residents evacuated from the apartments above the Starbucks. “We were all really scared.”

Scores of detectives are crawling over the blast site, looking for surveillance video and trying to determine the nature of the low-grade explosive device, which investigators believe was either placed on or taped to the bench.

“We don’t know the motive. Obviously it’s a cause for concern,” said Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. “We’re going to do an in-depth investigation.”

No one had claimed credit for the blast, nor was it called in ahead of time, said Kelly.

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Police Investigate Large Hazardous Materials Shipment To Home

Deputies are continuing to investigate bomb making materials that were discovered at a Santa Cruz home Tuesday night causing police to evacuate nearly 40 homes. According to deputies, a large shipment of hazardous materials was delivered to a home on 25th Avenue in Santa Cruz Tuesday afternoon.

Sheriff deputies blocked off the 200 block of East Cliff Drive and the nearby streets in a 300-foot radius of that home. A search warrant was issued overnight and deputies were able to search the house. Police have arrested the man inside the home where the explosives were delivered; he was under the influence of a controlled substance. People in the neighborhood were able to return home early Wednesday morning. Deputies said they are not sure if it’s the company that shipped the materials.

“Well, obviously, our bomb technicians will go in the there to retrieve the material, discover what’s there in the event there’s an explosive. Obviously we want to clear the area,” said Sergeant Dan Campos of Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday night.

Source

Two Arrested for Planting Device at Sacramento Federal Courthouse

Authorities arrested two people Wednesday that investigators said left an incediary device outside the Sacramento Federal Courthouse last weekend, according to an FBI spokesman.

Matthew Fraticelli, 30, and Stephanie Shinn, 35, of Sacramento were arrested early Wednesday and face charges of attempted arson of a federal facility and possession of an unregistered destructive device, Sacramento Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Steve Dupre said.

The device, hidden inside a paper grocery bag, was found by Federal Protection Service personnel during routine patrol outside a security booth on the east side of the courthouse at 5th and I streets in downtown Sacramento around 4:45 a.m. Sunday.

Dupre said the object was actually a Heineken five-liter draught keg with the word “Fraticelli” written in bold black ink on the side. Inside the keg was one gallon of a flammable liquid. Attached to the side of the keg with duct tape was a pill bottle that had what appeared to be an M-80 protruding from the lid.

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New York Terror Plot Broken Up

The FBI busted a homegrown terror cell late Wednesday night as the men sneaked around a Jewish temple in Riverdale planting what they thought was packages of C-4 explosives, sources told the Daily News.

The four African American men, three of whom were said to be jailhouse converts to Islam, also allegedly had what they believed was a working Stinger missile in their car.

Officials said they hoped to shoot down a plane at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh in Orange County.

Sources said the four men were arrested after a year-long investigation that began when an informant connected to a mosque in Newburgh said he knew men who wanted to buy explosives.

FBI agents posing as militants sold them what they thought was 30 pounds of C-4 and a plane-downing Stinger missile.

The weaponry was all phony.

The men were arrested as they planted fake bombs in front of the Riverdale Temple in the Bronx and under cars parked in front of the synagogue.

They also allegedly planned to blow up a nearby Jewish Community Center.

Witnesses said an NYPD vehicle blocked a black SUV outside the temple and then officers broke in the windows and handcuffed the four men inside the car.

All four men were US-born.

Arrested was alleged ringleader James Cromitie of Newburgh, the son of an Afghan immigrant and his African American wife.

Cromitie served a long stretch in prison in the past.

Alleged henchment David Williams, Onta Williams and Leguerre Payen were busted with him.

Sources said the three were jailhouse converts to Islam.

“This shows the real risks we face from homegrown terror and jailhouse converts, and the need for constant vigilance,” said Rep. Pete King R-NY.

The four alleged terrorists are expected to be arraigned Thursday in White Plains federal court.

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Foreclosed Home Booby Trapped With Pipe Bombs

A bank representative checking on a Riverside foreclosed home got a nasty surprise Tuesday afternoon when he spotted what appeared to be pipe bombs laying all over the property.

Eight homes were evacuated in a Riverside neighborhood Tuesday night after pipe bombs were found on the property. No one was hurt.

Arriving cops agreed with the bank rep and called in the bomb squad.  Eight homes surrounding the vacant house at 1420 Orange Street were ordered evacuated and a small manned armored tractor was sent in to clear the yard of what appeared to be pipe bombs.

Bomb squad experts said it would take hours to make sure the property surrounding the home is clear.  Police said after the yard is given an “all clear” they would tackle the issue of whether the home is booby trapped.   Sgt. Jaybee Brennan of the Riverside Police Department said police think there are more pipe bombs inside the house.

It may be until Wednesday when police will be able to say if the pipe bombs were real or not.

At 10:06 p.m. bomb experts blew up the first of several pipe bombs found in the yard.   People in the surrounding neighborhoods heard the explosion.

There have been no reported injuries.

Residents who were asked to leave the neighborhood during the investigation were allowed to return home Wednesday morning.

Source

1,000 Pounds High-grade Nitrate Fertilizer Stolen – Alabama

Burglars targeted a Tuscumbia business early Thursday morning. What’s most alarming is what the thieves took from business. The stolen property is potential dangerous material.

Approximately 1,000 pounds of high-grade nitrate fertilizer was taken from Greens Keepers on Gann Boulevard in Tuscumbia. The company handles fertilization and weed control for residential and commercial lawns. The owner, John Wagner, says he’s been in business for twelve years and nothing like this has ever happened.

“It’s very unusual,” says Wagner. “It was a very big shock to walk in at 7:00 a.m. and see all this gone.”

Sometime early Thursday morning, burglars broke in the business. First, they tried to bust through this glass window in the front of the building. When that didn’t work, police say the crooks pried open the side door.

“It appears that 25 to 30 bags of high-grade nitrate fertilizer was taken off the premises,” explains Wagner.

The thieves stacked the bags of fertilizer onto one of the company trucks, attached a trailer to the back, and loaded a lawn mower on it. The crooks also rummaged through the office – grabbing two computers, an iPod, and a cordless phone.

The stolen property is valued at several thousand dollars. For Wagner, that’s not the most unsettling part.

“The cost of the fertilizer is not the issue, it’s the quantity and the potential for bad guys,” explains Wagner. “

Wagner worries that having the large amount of fertilizer in the wrong hands could lead to something very dangerous.

“It could potentially be made into a bomb,” says Wagner.

Tuscumbia police say as the burglars were driving off, the trailer, lawn mower, and some fertilizer fell off somewhere on King Street. Shortly after that, investigators say the burglars abandoned the truck on Sterling Boulevard.

The truck and trailer were returned to Greens Keepers. Police are still on the hunt for the fertilizer and the people responsible for taking it.

Right now, the Tuscumbia Police Department does not have any suspects and is asking for the public’s help to develop some leads. If you have any information about the crime or know where the fertilizer may be, call the Shoals Area CrimeStoppers at (256) 386 – 8685

Source

4 Tons of Fertilizer Stolen In Frederick Maryland

UPDATE: The Frederick Police Department says they have surveillance tape of the theft and believe a white man between the ages of 45 and 50 may be the suspect.

Investigators believe the theft occurred on Sunday afternoon.

The contents of the fertilizer have the police concerned that it could be used for making a bomb.

The thief stole two types of fertilizer: Triple 19 and Urea.  Police say the Urea is more dangerous of the two because it contains hydrogen.

“We want to make sure that we covered all bases.  We want to make sure that the Frederick community understands that we are following through as far as we can possible go with FBI and other agencies,” said Lt. Clark Pennington with the Frederick Police Department.

Frederick police say four tons of fertilizer have been stolen from a farm supply store.

A store representative told police that 2,000 pounds of urea and 6,000 pounds of other fertilizer are missing. The fertilizer was in white 50-pound bags with a company logo.

Lt. Clark Pennington says they don’t know what the motive behind the theft is, but they have notified the Maryland Coordination Analysis Center, which alerts all federal agencies of the theft.

Explosive Device Goes Off In California Prison

An improvised explosive device went off inside a federal prison in California during a search Saturday, according to federal authorities.

No one was injured, the authorities told CNN.

The incident happened in the recreation area of the Victorville Federal Penitentiary. Bureau of Prisons spokesperson Traci Billingsley said the device was found by a staff member during a “routine search of inmate property”. She said it “detonated upon discovery.”

A bomb squad from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and FBI bomb technicians were called to the prison to examine the device and make sure it didn’t pose any further danger. They remained inside the prison as of 9:30 p.m.

FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said an investigation was under way. She said the incident is not terrorism-related.

Billingsley said the prison was locked down at the time the device was found. She could not say what prompted the lockdown, or if there was any connection to the search. No inmates were in the area when the explosion occurred.

“The prison remains secure,” she said.

She said she could not recall a previous incident where an improvised explosive device was found inside a prison.

via Explosive goes off in California prison – CNN.com.

Aspen – Bombs Wrapped Like Christmas Gifts Delivered To Banks – Suspect Found Dead

A man delivered bombs wrapped as Christmas presents to two banks Wednesday along with notes threatening “mass death” if they did not turn over tens of thousands of dollars, Aspen police said Thursday.

Authorities were quickly alerted, and the man apparently halted his plan — leaving two bombs in an alley that were likely intended for other banks, police said.

The man, identified as James Blanning, 72, who had had previous contacts with law enforcement, was later found dead after apparently shooting himself, police said.

His body was found in his car in a rural area east of Aspen.

The incidents Wednesday sparked the evacuation of a 16-block area of Aspen on New Year’s Eve, one of the busiest days of the year for businesses in Aspen.

Bomb squads ultimately detonated the devices, and no one was injured.

Evacuation orders were lifted early Thursday.

Source – CNN.com.

The following is the text of four identical notes left with gasoline bombs by a man who was found dead and who police said was trying to extort Aspen, Colo., banks on New Year’s Eve:

YOU HAD BETTER BE A VERY COOL INDIVIDUAL AND NOT START A PANIC OR MANY IN ASPEN WILL PAY A HORRIBLE PRICE IN BLOOD.

WE HAVE ALL OF THE COP THREATS TO US UNDER VERY SOPHISTICATED ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE. DO NOT F— WITH US OR THERE WILL BE MASS DEATH LIKE WE HAVE ALL BEEN PART OF OVER IN THAT F—ING QUICKSAND TRAP THAT ROVE’S AND CHANEY’S MONKEY BUS PUT US INTO WHERE SO MANY OF OUR SOUL MATES AND BROTHERS DIED VERY HORRIBLE DEATHS.

DO NOT MOVE OR COVER THE VERY BIG FIRE CRACKER IN THE PLASTIC CONTAINER. UNIQUE CHEMICALS AND ELECTRONICS.

TAKE THIS SHEET AND THE WHITE BOX TO THE ACTING HEAD TELLER. THE OTHER THREE ASPEN BANKS ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING THIS ONE IS AND THIS IS AS MUCH A SUICIDE MISSION AS A BANK ROBBERY, SO, IF IT GETS F—-D UP, OUR SOULS HAVE ALREADY BEEN DESTROYED AND WE WILL ALL DIE LIKE THE RAG-HEAD MARTYRS THAT WE WERE KILLING OVER THERE. THEY TRAINED US GOOD FOR THIS SORT OF THING.

PUT $60,000 IN USED $100s IN THE WHITE BOX. ANY DYES, TRACKERS, OR OTHER BULLS—T WILL CAUSE DISASTER TO ALL.

IN 20 MINUTES HAVE SOMEONE TAKE THE WHITE BOX OUTSIDE THE FRONT OF THE BANK AND WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE COMES UP AND POINTS DIRECTLY TO THE BOX WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING, THEN GIVE IT TO HIM. HE HAS BEEN AND IS WELL COVERED.

AFTER 2 HOURS THE FIRE CRACKER (IED), IF NOT DISTURBED, WILL AUTOMATICALLY DEACTIVATE AND CAN BE MOVED TO A SAFE PLACE (THE DUMP?) TO BE DISPOSED OF. FOR VERY UNIQUE CHEMICAL REASONS, WE RECOMMEND THAT ALL BE SET ON FIRE. WE LEARNED SOME NASTY CHEMISTRY FROM THE MARTYRS, ETC.

PS – FOR ADDED INSURANCE, THERE IS ALSO A FIFTH FIRE CRACKER HIDDEN IN A HIGH END WATERING HOLE THAT WE WILL REMOVE AFTER WE ARE FULLY CLEAR AND KNOW FOR SURE ALL HAS GONE WELL. F— THE WHOLE WORLD, ALREADY.

Source: Aspen Police Department

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