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Jun 15, 2023
Pipe bomb planted at car wash in Volusia County
The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. A Volusia County man is accused of making a pipe bomb and leaving it in a garbage can at a car wash in Edgewater. Sheriff's
The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox.
A Volusia County man is accused of making a pipe bomb and leaving it in a garbage can at a car wash in Edgewater.
Sheriff's investigators found the pipe bomb after the suspect's estranged wife saw it and other materials in some duffel bags.
Deputies and members of the bomb squad responded Wednesday night to the Wally Wash car wash on Ridgewood Avenue and, using a robot, located a container in a trash can there. An X-ray of the box confirmed there was a pipe bomb inside. Anthony West, 58, is charged with manufacturing an explosive device and possessing bomb-making materials.
“Serious concerns for illegal artillery that she found of his that is in his possession,” a speaker said in a 911 call.
Someone who had been in contact with the suspect's estranged wife called 911, saying the wife had seen items in duffel bags the suspect had before moving out, including, according to the report, a “short, galvanized pipe with two end caps” and “items commonly used in the making of pipe bombs and other explosive devices.”
At the suspect's home, investigators say they recovered materials and bomb-making books and manuals but no pipe bomb. Eventually, deputies say West admitted he put the pipe bomb filled with black powder in the car wash garbage can, claiming he panicked when his wife messaged him the bomb squad was on its way.
Deputies say West told them he made the pipe bomb a long time ago and forgot about it. They say he was adamant he never intended to use the explosive device to harm anyone.
The experts recovered the pipe bomb and rendered it safe at a sheriff's facility, which will be saved as evidence.
The suspect posted a $20,000 bond on the charges and was released from jail.
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