Police get tip about mysterious pipe bomber

December 7, 2013

Updated: 12/06/2013 6:39 PM | Created: 12/06/2013 5:20 PM
By: Stuart Dyson, KOB Eyewitness News 4

The hunt for Albuquerque’s mysterious motorcycle pipe-bomber has led police to the capture of another pipe-bomb suspect – but they say he's not the one they've been looking for.

Investigators think the man they took into custody Thursday night in the South Valley may not have any connection to the bomb attacks on two probation and parole offices, but he will still face federal charges of his own. A tip led a swarm of SWAT officers to a property near Rio Bravo and 2nd Street, where they found a man passed out on drugs and three pipe bombs on the property.

Investigators wondered if this could be the motorcycle-riding mystery man who flung two pipe bombs at the state Probation and Parole Office near UNM on Monte Vista NE on Nov. 21. Their conclusion: It wasn't him.

"It's great that we got these devices off the street, but we're going to continue to look for the person that we believe is responsible for this," said an undercover state Corrections agent whose identity must not be revealed. "We don't believe that this individual is the same person that threw the devices here."

Federal, state and local officers formed a task force this week to coordinate the hunt for the motorcycle bomber. They have reward money and people with information can remain anonymous.

"If anybody has information related to the pipe-bombing incident here at the Probation and Parole office, there's $6,000 up for grabs for that person," the agent said. "Any information that we can get is greatly appreciated."

If you have a tip, call Crimestoppers at 843-STOP.

Agents say the man they busted Thursday night was wanted on other charges and is likely to face federal charges for the pipe-bombs they found – as soon as he's released from the hospital where he’s being trated for what appears to be a drug overdose.

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