Maryland law enforcement officers working with federal agents busted a 28-year-old man with a massive supply of bomb-making materials in his home, saying extensive damage would have resulted if he had detonated the material.
“Whatever his intentions were, the investigation prevented that from happening and prevented people from being injured,” said Capt. Robert Howarth, a lead fire investigator in the case, during a press conference in Millersville, The Baltimore Sun reported. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and local police were only releasing the details of the finding on Tuesday, though the incident occurred on Jan. 2, Fox News reported.
Todd Dwight Wheeler Jr. of Glen Burnie was charged with manufacturing a destructive device, possessing a destructive device and reckless endangerment. The Baltimore Sun said he’s been incarcerated in Annapolis on a $400,000 bond.
Police were called to Mr. Wheeler’s home on New Year’s Day by a relative who called and reported a suicidal person. Police responded and found him suffering from injuries from “chemical or mechanical reactions,” The Baltimore Sun reported police as saying. Police searched the house and found more than 100 pounds of chemicals — acids, fuels, oxidizers and explosive precursors, as well as igniters, detonators and books on bomb-making, Fox News said.
Federal and local authorities joined forces to “prevent a domestic terror incident from occurring in our community,” said Anne Arundel Fire Chief Michael Cox, in The Baltimore Sun.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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