Three men sought in Va. Beach 'bottle bombs' case

VIRGINIA BEACH

Fire investigators are seeking the public’s help in solving a series of mailbox explosions caused by homemade “bottle bombs.”

In four incidents since June 8, explosives made with household items have been used to destroy property in Great Neck, Shorehaven and Upper Chelsea Reach, according to a news release from the Fire Department. No injuries have been reported.

Investigators have surveillance video of three young men buying materials that could have been used to make the explosives, like water bottles and dry ice, at the Kroger at 4625 Shore Drive. Officials are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspects.

The most recent incidents occurred July 13, less than an hour after Kroger's cameras filmed the men purchasing the materials, said Battalion Chief Tim Riley, a Fire Department spokesman.

All of the explosions occurred late at night, Riley said. The destroyed mailboxes were worth $40 to $100 each, according to police reports filed online.

The incidents occurred June 8 in the 1400 block of Blue Heron Road, June 9 in the 1800 block of Duke of Norfolk Quay, July 13 in the 2300 block of Haversham Close and July 13 in the 1600 block of Tether Keep, according to the fire and police departments.

While so far the mischief has caused only minimal damage, fire investigators are worried the problem will escalate. The explosives used chemical reactions, not gunpowder, and did not have enough strength to destroy a building, Riley said. However, he said the bottle bombs could potentially blind or maim someone.

“We don’t want it to escalate,” said Kevin Newton, a fire and arson investigator for the Fire Department. “People start getting curious with destruction of property and then sometimes it will escalate.”

Those responsible appear to be young adults between the ages of 17 and 20, Newton said. Kroger-brand water bottles found at the scene led investigators to the nearest Kroger, where they found the security footage.

While mailbox bombings were commonplace several years ago, there haven’t been many incidents like this recently, Newton said.

“Kids are bored,” he said. “They’re experimenting.”

If caught, those responsible will face property destruction charges and felony charges of manufacturing, possessing and using an explosive device, Newton said.

Investigators ask that anyone with information on this case call Crime Solvers at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP (562-5887).

For more details, return to PilotOnline.com later and read tomorrow's Virginian-Pilot.