Pistol Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 Pipe-Bomb Suspect Charged in Nevada Wed May 8, 1:13 AM ET By SCOTT SONNER, Associated Press Writer RENO, Nev. (AP) - A 21-year-old college student was charged Tuesday in connection with the five-state string of mailbox pipe bombs after he was arrested on a windswept highway following a manhunt that stretched across half the country. Photos AP Photo Slideshows AP Photo Suspect Charged in Mailbox Bombings Audio/Video FBI Searches for Pipe Bomb Suspect (AP) Related Links · Text of Note Left in Mailboxes - AP Luke J. Helder of Pine Island, Minn., was captured after dropping a gun out his car window, the FBI (news - web sites) said. At least one other gun was found in the car, and bomb squads found explosive devices, possibly pipe bombs, said Richard Kirkland, Nevada Public Safety director. Helder was stopped more than 1,500 miles from the Illinois communities where some of the first bombs and their telltale anti-government notes were found. The terrorism spree alarmed thousands of rural Americans and raised fresh concern about the safety of the mail in the wake of last fall's deadly anthrax outbreak. Residents in several states were asked to leave open their roadside mailboxes to give nervous letter carriers a clear look inside. Helder's license plate and car description had been broadcast nationwide Tuesday, a motorist on Interstate 80 spotted Helder's westbound vehicle and tipped off authorities. He was pulled over about 50 miles east of Reno after a 40-mile chase that reached 100 mph. "The FBI contacted him on his cell phone and started negotiations with him, and asked us to back off," said Major Rick Bradley of the Nevada Highway Patrol. "Then he slowed down." FBI agent Terry Hulse said Helder telephoned his parents during the chase and was patched through to an FBI negotiator. He said Helder stayed on the phone with the FBI after pulling over east of Fernley and volunteered to surrender if he was not harmed. "He requested not to be tackled," Trooper Alan Davidson said. "He surrendered the gun and was taken into custody without incident." Helder, who was expected to be jailed in Reno, was charged by federal prosecutors in Iowa with using an explosive to maliciously destroy property affecting interstate commerce and using a destructive device to commit a crime of violence. The charges carry penalties of up to life in prison and fines of $250,000. Specifically, U.S. Attorney Charles W. Larson said Helder was responsible for the cuts and shrapnel wounds suffered Friday by Delores Werling, 70, of Tipton, Iowa. Other charges were expected. The capture came just eight hours after the FBI issued an all-points bulletin for Helder and said it wanted to question him about the 18 pipe bombs found since Friday. His father, at the family's home in Minnesota, also pleaded with Helder: "Please don't hurt anyone else. ... You have the attention you wanted." Six people — four letter carriers and two residents — were wounded by bombs left in mailboxes in Illinois and Iowa. Twelve other bombs found in Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado and Texas did not explode. Most of the bombs were accompanied by anti-government propaganda warning that more "attention getters" were on the way. FBI agent Jim Bogner in Omaha, where the investigation is centered, refused to say how Helder had become part of the case. But Tuesday, a college newspaper in Wisconsin said it gave the FBI a seven-page letter that was received over the weekend and signed with Helder's name. The letter was postmarked in Omaha on Friday — the day the first eight bombs were found, in Iowa and Illinois, and a day before eight more bombs turned up in Nebraska. The letter's first page is identical to the anti-government notes found with the bombs. The letter also said, in part: "I will die/change in the end for this, but that's ok, hahaha paradise awaits! "I'm dismissing a few individuals from reality, to change all of you for the better, surely you can understand my logic. See you all in 2011 (or sooner). Now go find your higher selves!" The FBI refused to comment on the letter sent to The Badger Herald at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. At Helder's family home an hour's drive southeast of Minneapolis, his father, Cameron, read a statement urging his son to call home. "I really want you to know that Luke is not a dangerous person," he said. "I think he's just trying to make a statement about the way our government is run. I think Luke wants people to listen to his ideas, and not enough people are hearing him, and he thinks this may help." He added: "Luke, you need to talk to someone. Please don't hurt anyone else. It's time to talk. You have the attention you wanted. Luke, we love you very much. We want you home safe." Reached after his son's arrest, Cameron Helder declined to comment. Helder was enrolled as a junior majoring in art and industrial design at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, 60 miles from his home, but had apparently not attended classes since at least April 24, a school official said. He played guitar and sang in a punk rock band called Apathy. On a Web site for the band, two songs were posted, "Conformity" and "Back and Black," but the lyrics were unintelligible. The issue of conformity is a theme in the bombing notes, which say, in part: "To `live' (avoid death) in this society you are forced to conform/slave away. I'm here to help you realize/ understand that you will live no matter what!" From the start, the FBI called the attacks domestic terrorism. Over the weekend, former FBI profiler Clint Van Zandt had speculated that the writer of the notes was an older person, based on the phrase "attention getter." Instead, the suspect turned out to be a fresh-faced student acquaintances described as normal, even mellow. "The top things I care about are my girlfriend ... and my music/band," Helder wrote on his band's Web site. "I party, play guitar, and talk online to everyone. That's my life." FBI agents searched Helder's apartment in a two-story building near the Menomonie campus. Police spokesman Brian Swantz said two houses nearby were evacuated because of "potential danger" but refused to elaborate. Six of the 16 bombs left in the Midwest exploded. The 17th bomb was found in Salida, Colo., on Monday. It did not explode. The FBI said all those bombs came from the same source. The last device was found Monday at a home in Amarillo, Texas, and was described as being similar to the others. That bomb differed from the others in that it was found in a residential neighborhood and not a far-flung rural route. It was placed in a mailbox on a post in a yard behind a low chain-link fence, about 25 feet from the front door but not accessible from the street. Roberto Martinez, 44, found the bomb in his mailbox along with two notes in a pink-hued sandwich bag. He said police told him it did not explode because it lacked a battery. The FBI did not immediately confirm whether the Texas note was the same as the anti-government propaganda found with the other devices. ___ Looking forward to some Mr.Mang conspiracy theories.:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
defyone Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest willy.wonka Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 but he looks so innocent.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pistol Posted May 8, 2002 Author Share Posted May 8, 2002 Originally posted by willy.wonka but he looks so innocent.. it don't matter. just think Mr. Mang could be the Anthrax sender from last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest willy.wonka Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 Originally posted by Pistol http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20020508/s/1020827525.2818572316.jpg'> you mean your willing to let a face like this..be behind a pipebomb CONSPIRACY? look at him...aaaaawwwwwww...:) :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
When Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 Originally posted by willy.wonka but he looks so innocent.. they are always the worst yea mr. mang seems like he would giggle at that then paint a crude drawing of someone dying of anthrax with a knife in their back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Morris Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 thats kinda crazy. He was only 21 too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest willy.wonka Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 today i saw on the news some guy in mexico brutally ran down a bunch of school schildren...that was pretty fucked up..2 kids died..this old man said that they blocked the road with this weekly anual flag celebration... it was a fucked up scene.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
When Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 Originally posted by willy.wonka today i saw on the news some guy in mexico brutally ran down a bunch of school schildren...that was pretty fucked up..2 kids died..this old man said that they blocked the road with this weekly anual flag celebration... it was a fucked up scene.... :o that aint right, aint right at all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pistol Posted May 8, 2002 Author Share Posted May 8, 2002 I believe something similar happened here in LA for Cinco De Mayo. Some guy drove his car into a big block party trying to escape from police. So he drives into a block party full of people. :mad: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Morris Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 last week in indianapolis some guy was running from the police while drunk and hit a woman and her 2 kids. While I was lost in downtown indianapolis for 2 hours I was listening to talk radio about it and there were people saying that if the police weren't trying to catch a drunk driver this wouldn't have happened therefore turning it into the police's fault. Some people have a fucked up rationale of thinking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
When Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 or that guy in orange county or whatever that ran down the fence to a daycare center and killed some kids Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pistol Posted May 8, 2002 Author Share Posted May 8, 2002 it's a tough call either way. you let them drive reckless and they kill someone= how come the police didn't do shit? you follow them and the continue to drive crazy and kill someone = it's the police's fault for chasing them. I remember that shit that little preschool in Costa Mesa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Morris Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 I honestly don't know the exact specifics of the chase but it was only like a 5 or 10 minute chase until this happened and they were un able to coordinate alternate means of stopping said drunk driver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
When Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 Originally posted by Pistol I remember that shit that little preschool in Costa Mesa. that was it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Mang Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 hey now. is this the Mr. mang hating hour? i don't want to see anyone really get hurt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
When Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 Originally posted by Mr. Mang hey now. is this the Mr. mang hating hour? i don't want to see anyone really get hurt. no hate, lust love but come on now... admit it, admit it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dusty Lipschitz Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 Originally posted by Pistol ...his father, Cameron, read a statement urging his son to call home. "I really want you to know that Luke is not a dangerous person," what a delusional idiot i understand its your son, but come on... anybody driving around state to state leaving 15+ pipebombs is pretty fucking dangerous. the only reason he's not is becuase it's his son. you know he would be saying different shit if someone else had left one in his mailbox, or it was his wife picking shrapnel out of her body. i hate it when people aren't true. when the rules change depending on who is the victim or the agressor. sorry bout the rant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest me IS cool Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 Yeah, Leave it up to Pistol to bring in the interesting stories! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.T Boy Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 wheres j when you need him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest im not witty Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 im not backing this guy up, because im not sure pipe bombs are the answer, but i cant and wont argue with anything he said in his letters. maybe he should have made like 150 fake bombs, put them all in boxes the same night and then blown up one real one (maybe his own) to get the paranoia started. thats what i would have done. IT IS VERY POSSIBLE THAT YOU COULD DIE TODAY. `a friendly message brought to you by www.playgroundzero.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kr430n5_666 Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 http://ltpwww.gsfc.nasa.gov/globe/NutrTeam/smpage18.gif'> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nomadawhat Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 WINDY SUNNY COLD RAINY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kr430n5_666 Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 ^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiteboy 516 Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 HEY THERE DUSTY ******WHAT IS THE DAD SUPPOSED TO SAY??? MY SON IS A DESPICABLE PIECE OF HUMAN TRASH****IT"S HIS SON FOR CHRIST"S SAkE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kr430n5_666 Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 HEY WHY DO I USE STARS TO SEPARATE MY SENTANCES *************I JUST WISH I KNEW WHAT THE HELL I WAS DOING/******* FUCK WORD SON GOD LAND Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiteboy 516 Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 BECAUSE I"M UNIQUE AND ORIGINAL***JUST LIKE YOU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kr430n5_666 Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 HAHAHAHAH ************ HAHAHAHA**** YOU ARE A GOOD GUY * Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dusty Lipschitz Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 Originally posted by whiteboy 516 HEY THERE DUSTY ******WHAT IS THE DAD SUPPOSED TO SAY??? MY SON IS A DESPICABLE PIECE OF HUMAN TRASH****IT"S HIS SON FOR CHRIST"S SAkE no im not naive enough or dumb enough to beleive he should think that or say that, but i think there is a middle road. "sad what happend, my son needs help, what he's put people through is sad and unfortunate, etc..." i dont know. i guess pop is as out of touch with reality as the son. OBVIOUSLY someone who plants 18 pipebombs is dangerous. OBVIOUSLY the man loves his son, but that doesnt make idiotic statements any less idiotic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiteboy 516 Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 NO YOUR RiGHT THE DAD COUlD HaVE WORDED HIS STATEMENT WITH A LITTLE MORE EMPATHY> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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