ATF agents are investigating the large theft from Cherry Enginering, a company owned by Chris Cherry, for decades the senior explosives scientist at Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico. Also, 2,500 detonators were missing from a storage explosive container, or magazine, in the name of Cherry Engineering.
One hundred and fifty pounds of the plastic explosive compound C-4 and 250 pounds of undetectable "sheet explosives" — a DuPont flexible explosive material that can be hidden in books and letters — were stolen in the burglary, which also included the theft of blasting caps.
A special agent at ATF said the incident was unusual because such high-powered material was targeted.
Burglars used a torch bar to break into the explosives containers and remove the material.
The missing material could potentially make numerous bombs.
Understatement of the day.
Chris Cherry
Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff
Sandia National Laboratories
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Mr. Chris Cherry is an Explosives Systems Design Engineer in the Systems Assessment and Research Center at Sandia National Laboratories. Currently, he is involved in the research and development of specialized explosive systems, explosive entry, shaped charge technology and advanced explosives ordnance disposal (EOD) disablement tools.
Mr. Cherry has invented, designed and patented may EOD and Explosive tools including: the PAN Disrupter (a versatile non-electric shock tube actuated disrupter), the Mineral Water Bottle Disrupter System, the Fast Response Wire Cutter, the Hydra-Jet™, the Sherwood Special™ Projectile, the Magic Cube™, the Large Vehicle Bomb Countermeasures Systems (civilian), and HEAD (military). Mr. Cherry has designed many advanced initiation and explosive breaching systems. He provides advanced training for military personnel as well as local, State and Federal bomb squads, and is the creator of Operation America.
A native of Virginia, and a graduate of Old Dominion University, Mr. Cherry has had a very diverse professional work experience and background. He served in the U.S. Army Special Forces (1970-1972). He was a chemistry and math teacher at Ferguson High School in Newport News, VA, and a chemist/marine chemist for Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News. He was employed by the Department of Defense as a Chemical Engineer/Supervisory Engineer at the NAVAL EOD Technology Center (Indian Head, MD) for the Disablement Branch of the Improvised Nuclear Devices Division.
http://www.columbusfdn.org/homelandsecurity/2004-3.asp
Inside job all over it. Current or former employee?
I heard it is enough to blow up a building -- hope that doesn't mean a dam or two as well. The area this disappeared from makes me nervous... since I live in the SW.