News

Cops arrest 2 in connection with Philly ATM bombings

July 9, 2018

Following a rash of ATM bombings in Philadelphia, an investigative effort has resulted in the seizure of a cache of illegal explosive devices and the arrest a man suspected of their illegal distribution.

According to a press release, the four agencies involved in the investigation included the arson and explosives task force of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Philadelphia Police Department; the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General; and the Office of the District Attorney of Delaware County. 

A July 2 car stop by the Philadelphia Highway Patrol yielded a large cache of consumer fireworks and approximately 80 M-type devices ranging from 2.5–6 inches long, including M-80s, M-100s, and M-1000s or "quarter sticks."

Some of these were similar to devices used in ATM explosions carried out in June — none of which resulted in the theft of the cash inside the ATMs, apparently.

However, according to the release, the devices contained enough explosive material to cause serious bodily injury or death.

On June 22, a local CBS affiliate in Philadelphia reported the arrest of a 34-year-old woman in connection with one of the ATM bombing carried out with an M-1000 device. She has been charged with criminal conspiracy, arson, weapon of mass destruction and other charges.

Authorities are continuing to investigate three additional incidents — all involving the use of M-1000 explosives, according to the report.