Man With Explosives Stopped at Base

AP | 12/21/01 | AP

[anniegetyourgun]

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. (AP) - A man tried to enter the base with explosives in his pickup truck, but authorities believe he intended no harm.

The 20-year-old driver, whose name was not released, had about a quarter pound of C4 plastic explosives behind his seat.

"The young man is a reserve Marine Corps lance corporal," said Maj. Todd Vician, base spokesman. "We do believe it was an honest mistake."

The Des Moines, Iowa, native was detained by military police and turned over to the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms late Thursday, Master Sgt. Teresa Kaye said. He was questioned late into the evening.

It was not immediately clear why the man had explosives in his pickup, Vician said. He said any vehicle trying to gain access to the base is subject to searches.

The base's main gate was closed for about three hours while the pickup was searched by police and federal agents.

Vician said it is not uncommon for reservists, personnel from other service branches and retirees to conduct military business at the base and use facilities such as its grocery store.

He did not know why this man was at the base but said it would be the closest facility for people living in central Iowa.

[Chad Fairbanks]

C4 behind your car seat is 'an honest mistake'????? Wow! :0)

[anniegetyourgun]

I'm not an expert, but that isn't a very big bit of explosives, right? Besides, he's a reservist - probably there for exercises. Maybe this was part of it. I think it's probably a non-story, but can see why the wires would be EXTRA sensitive to anything like this these days.

[Chad Fairbanks]

The fact that he was a reservist isn't really relevent, except maybe to explain how he got it. I doubt you can just walk in to any explosives company and say, "I'd like a quarter-pounder with detonators" - I'm sure there are licensing, taxes and laws that determine who can have C4 and who can't... :0)

[headsonpikes]

He was probably taking it home to loosen a couple of stumps! ;^)

[packrat01]

He was probably taking it home to loosen a couple of stumps! ;^)

or fillings, if he's a cap-biter.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Oh, well, that's ok then :0)

[ASTM366]

If you or I had made this "honest mistake" we would be in federal custody for a long, long time.

[TADSLOS]

Carrying any kind of U.S. military weapons, ammunition or explosives in your Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) is strictly forbidden. The larger question is how did he come in possession of (military?)C-4. Although 1/4 pound won't do that much damage, it begs the question of how much more C-4 and what else he has? He can't claim ignorance on this and be honest.

[hflynn]

I hate to ask but was this guy wearing a turban?

[headsonpikes]

"Well, that's okay then."

I'm just saying it's probably a good 'ol boy helpin' out at home.

Or, it might be an insane jihadist trying to destroy America.

Or it might be just someone who wanted to blow sumthin' up 'real good'. ;^)

[anniegetyourgun]

I don't think many reservists wear those these days....

[Ford Fairlane]

Are we sure it was military c4? In the construction industry we use it regularly & it isnt that hard to get, depending on your state. I dont know about Iowa laws, but in Illinois you just have to pay the state for a license. It is used in the mining industry also.

[TADSLOS]

Either way, it was a bone headed move.

[strela]

"We do believe it was an honest mistake."

Sheeeyah, right. He was honestly going to shove it down an honest gopher hole in his yard so he could blow the honest gopher to honest gopher heaven.

[Ford Fairlane]

Either way, it was a bone headed move.

I agree, but noone ever accused 20 year olds of being very bright. We lost some C4 from a construction site once & found out one of our welders "borrowed" it to remove some groundhogs from the pasture. He also removed the windows from his dad's barn in the process.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Oh, I wasn't arguing :0)