New Suspicious Device Found at New Mexico Church May Be Tied to Earlier Bombings
Churches in Las Cruces had been targeted by pipe bombs.
— -- A suspicious device found today on the grounds of First Presbyterian Church in Las Cruces, New Mexico, is believed to be connected to two pipe bombs which exploded earlier this month at two other nearby churches, according to a source familiar with the investigation.
Police were called to the scene after the device was found by a groundskeeper, Las Cruces Police said in a statement. A local police bomb squad rendered the device safe.
The device, which sources say appears to be a pipe bomb, was found intact and investigators are looking into the possibility that it may have been placed around the same time as the Aug. 2 bombs, but failed to detonate for unknown reasons.
The device was outfitted with a timing mechanism similar to those found in the other bombings, sources tell ABC News.
Law enforcement sources say because the device was found in pristine condition, it may provide investigators with significant new clues in the case, with potential for fingerprints, fibers, hair or DNA.
Investigators were canvassing the area around the First Presbyterian Church in that they may find surveillance video or other clues in the case.
Authorities previously released a video showing what they called a person of interest walking near the Calvary Baptist Church, one of the churches where a bomb went off in a mailbox on Aug. 2.
Authorities say they do not necessarily believe the man, who is seen in the video wearing plaid shorts and a blue t-shirt, is a suspect, but they do wish to identify and interview him.
Some 20 minutes after the blast at that church, a second bomb detonated in a trash bin outside the Holy Cross Catholic Church. Both blasts caused minor damage but did not cause any injuries. Sources say there is no clear motive for the bombings
The FBI is also offering a $20,000 reward for information in the case. Several local, state and federal agencies, including the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are working together on the case.