Federal Authorities join Palm Springs Police after sixth bomb discovered

PALM SPRINGS – Federal authorities are hoping that a $15,000 reward will help uncover the mystery of a series of bombs that have recently been discovered here.

A sixth bomb was discovered on Saturday by a jogger who spotted the device about a foot off the sidewalk. While there have been no injuries, there has been a rising concern that the devices – described as six-inch metal or plastic piping, stuffed with explosive material connected to an unlit and exposed fuse – have been discovered in areas in north Palm Springs.

A typical pipe bomb, similar to those found in Palm Springs

The jogger discovered the latest device, which was held together by duct tape, outside a home in the 27000 block of Verona Rd., police said. Just over three hours later, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Hazardous Device Team provided a robot to disable the bomb. Police confirmed that the bomb was “live.”

Federal authorities joined the hunt after Saturday’s discovery. Hopes are that a reward would help investigators from the FBI and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives gain important information on the maker of these bombs.

The reward is made up of $5,000 contributions from the ATF, FBI and the city of Palm Springs.

FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiler said, “A situation like this would concern us until an individual or group is identified and we can establish motive. The FBI’s jurisdiction would be based on concern that this individual poses a terrorist threat, whether domestic or international, as well as to assist our law enforcement partners, where necessary.”

The first bomb was discovered by a 92-year-old man out for a walk, near East San Rafael Rd. Two days later, four additional bombs were discovered in that same area. Verona Rd., where the sixth device was discovered, is a mile southeast of Sunrise Way. Police did not say if there was evidence that the person that left the bomb on Verona was responsible for the other bombs.

Police shut down traffic on various streets near the site of the sixth bomb, conducting searches for additional explosive devices.

Read More:

Mydesert.com: Police have no leads yet on pipe bombs in Palm Springs

Press Enterprise: Sixth pipe bomb found

SWRNN.com: Sixth pipe bomb found in Palm Springs