Arrest warrant issued in suspected power towers sabotage

Associated Press ^ | 10-23-03

[Brian S]

The Federal Bureau of Investigation issued an arrest warrant Thursday for a man who allegedly removed bolts from high voltage transmission towers near Redding and in Oregon. The bureau issued warnings to authorities in four western states.

Local and state officials are participating in the search for Michael Devlyn Poulin, 62, of Spokane, Wash., whom they said was seen tinkering with the leg of a large electrical tower near Anderson on Monday, then driving away in a pickup truck.

[FreedomPoster]

ELF terrorist?

[Calpernia]

Ping.

[Lijahsbubbe]

A similar vehicle driven by a man matching Poulin's description

What's his description?

[Brian S]

MORE...

Hunt intensifies for man who tried to sabotage power towers
By Chuck Carroll
Mercury News

Michael Poulin.

The hunt for a man believed to be responsible for trying to sabotage two high-voltage power lines in California and Oregon earlier this week intensified today when a warrant was issued for this arrest.

On Wednesday, the FBI said it was seeking Washington state resident Michael Devlyn Poulin for questioning, two days after he was twice seen allegedly removing the hefty bolts and nuts securing the legs of the power towers to their bases.

The warrant alleges the recently divorced 62-year-old former Oakland resident who most recently lived in Spokane, Wash., with trying to damage an energy facility, according to a statement from FBI Special Agent in Charge John F. Pikus, from the Sacramento Office. The case is being investigated as domestic terrorism.

Had the alleged attempts succeeded, strong winds could have toppled the towers, power officials said, though it probably would not have caused blackouts.

The FBI also released a photo of the suspect as well as a photo of his gray 1997 Toyota T100 pickup truck with a white shell attached. The Washington license plate is A36457P.

The photo of the truck, which had a small orange motorcycle attached to it, was taken by three electrical workers who saw a man crouched at the base of a tower in the southern Shasta County town of Anderson, and his unmarked truck.

They followed him south on Interstate 5 as he fled upon their approach and took the picture of the truck as they called 911 to alert police. They stopped following in Cottonwood when the police became concerned about the men's safety. The authorities were then unable to find the man.

Several hours earlier, a similar man and vehicle had been spotted doing the same thing near Klamath Falls, Ore.

The FBI is coordinating the investigation with the California Highway Patrol, the Anderson Police Department and other law enforcement agencies in Oregon, Washington and California ``to determine of similar acts of sabotage in Oregon are linked to the one incident in California.''

Poulin is described as a white male, 62, who stands 5 feet 11 inches tall, 250 pounds, with black-gray hair, brown eyes, a salt-and-pepper beard and wearing wire-rim glasses.

He has a prior record of attempted murder and detonation of destructive devices, according to a law-enforcement bulletin obtained by the Mercury News, and is considered armed and dangerous.

Under the name Michael Devlyn, Poulin has also dabbled in anti-government and anti-corporate Internet comics and run a skate sports shop in Spokane.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the nearest FBI office or the Sacramento Division at (916) 481-9110.

Contact Chuck Carroll at (408) 920-5206 or

[Lijahsbubbe]

I knew FR was quick, but this is amazing!

[Poohbah]

OK, what flavor is he? Militia whacko? Enviro-weenie? Closet Islamist? PLACE YOUR BETS!

[Lijahsbubbe]

Poulin has also dabbled in anti-government and anti-corporate Internet comics and run a skate sports shop in Spokane.

My, he's very diversified!

[okie01]

"I knew FR was quick, but this is amazing!"

Fustest with the mostest breaking news.

Also expert commentary.

And comedy relief...

[tet68]

A similar vehicle driven by a man matching Poulin's description was seen leaving an incident at a transmission tower in Klamath Falls, Ore.,

Klamath Falls !!! OoOoOoOooooo!

Too many connections, I'm puttin on my tinfoil.

[Ramius]

I can't place it... but that guy looks familiar somehow. The name doesn't mean anything to me though.

[Jeff Head]

Downing a tower wouldn't cripple the system

Can't help myself here. Downing a major tower will not hurt the system...but a limb blowing on to two lines knocks down the system in seven states.

Remember that one?

[Brian S]

There is a Michael Poulin from Spokane as a memeber of the Green Party...no confirmation that it's the same person, however.

Green Party of Spokane county

General Membership Meeting

May 2, 2002

 

 

Julie Smith facilitated the meeting.

 

1)        Presentation

Clark Hager, speaking against the Expansion of the Spokane Convention Center

-    Motion made and seconded to endorse the “No on Propositions 1 and 2”.  Discussion ensued,  Consensus not reached, vote made. 

-    Endorsed, with three abstentions and two Stand-Asides. 

-    Susan and Than will write endorsement letters and send them to City Council and County Commissioners.  They will send a draft to all before sending.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

2)       Treasurer’s Report

Lucy Reiner reported            4/01/03 Closing Balance            $3240

            4/30/02            $3314

3)       Winona LaDuke Event

-    Group agreed (consensus) to use up to $100 additional dollars to help promote the event.

-    Marianne Torres will call Shawn to ensure we will be mentioned as co-sponsors, and to inform him that we will help with promotional costs, if such help is still needed.

-    Pat Hughes is our contact person for the event

 

4)       Election of Officers

-    New officers, voted via IRV:  Co-Coordinators John Mager and Susan Whaley, At-Large Representatives Karen Folger and Morton Alexander

 

5)       State Convention

-    Julie Smith, Susan Whaley, Marshall Peterson, Michael Poulin, Marianne Torres and Noah Skocilich plan to attend the State convention in Ellensburg this coming weekend.

 

LINK

[evad]

PLACE YOUR BETS!

I really like militia wacko but I'm going with enviro weenie.

[Amerigomag]

OK, what flavor is he? Militia whacko? Enviro-weenie? Closet Islamist?

California Democrat attempting to insure Schwarzenegger's failure?

[Newbomb Turk]

Michael Devlyn Poulin, 62, of Spokane, Wash., whom they said was seen tinkering with the leg of a large electrical tower

He must have been spied by someone from the south because they dont tinker Way up north.

[tet68]

I'll take militant enviro wacko for 500 please.

[Catspaw]

He has a prior record of attempted murder and detonation of destructive devices, according to a law-enforcement bulletin obtained by the Mercury News, and is considered armed and dangerous.

Under the name Michael Devlyn, Poulin has also dabbled in anti-government and anti-corporate Internet comics and run a skate sports shop in Spokane.

Hard to tell which he is.

[Catspaw]

This appears to be his comix website.

http://www.yakresearch.com/comix.html

[tet68]

A little sample. Oh and the Yakman comics suck really bad too.This is from his class war comix.