Pipe Bomb found on ATV Trail ~ ATF/Norton Police Offer Reward in Ohio Pipe Bomb Case

AKRON, Ohio, May 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Norton Police Department
announced today a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and
conviction of those responsible for placing a pipe bomb on an all-terrain
vehicle trail in a heavily wooded area near the PPG Limestone Mine in
suburban Norton.

On April 23, Norton police and fire officials responded to the area
after two citizens discovered the pipe bomb while riding their all-terrain
vehicles on the trail. ATF and the Summit County Bomb Response Task Force
rendered the device safe.

Anyone with information concerning this incident should contact the
Norton Police Department at 330-825-2491 or ATF at 216-522-3786. All calls
will be kept confidential.

ATF is the federal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction for
investigating pipe bombs and other explosives incidents. More information
on ATF and its programs is at ATF Online - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Contact: ATF RAC Larry Brock, 216-522-3786



SOURCE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Reference: ATF/Norton Police Offer Reward in Ohio Pipe Bomb Case

Sounds like a northern redneck lost his fishing lure!!!!!

********** UPDATE **********

Jun. 12, 2007

Norton resident, 28, could get 10 years in prison if convicted of making explosive found on tree

By: Gina Mace, Special to the Beacon Journal:

About two months ago, three men riding all-terrain vehicles found an unexploded pipe bomb with a timer on a tree behind Johnson United Methodist Church at 3409 Johnson St. in Norton.

Now a 28-year-old Carl Street man faces charges that could land him in prison for more than 10 years if he's found guilty of building and placing the homemade bomb.

Richard Scott Hobbs II made an initial appearance in Barberton Municipal Court on Friday on charges of illegal manufacturing of dangerous ordnances or explosives, possession of a dangerous ordnance, possession of criminal tools and inducing panic.

Judge Michael Weigand set bond at $10,000.

Norton police Lt. Thad Hete said Hobbs admitted attaching the pipe bomb, made of galvanized steel one foot long and three inches in diameter, to a tree.

With the timer set, Hobbs and a friend allegedly moved back to watch the explosion.

``The timer failed, and he was afraid to approach it for fear it would detonate,'' Hete said. ``So he left it there.''

When the ATV riders found the device, they called police, who in turn called the Summit County bomb squad. Members of the federal Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agency also responded.

ATF resident agent in charge Larry Brock said the homemade device was filled with a significant amount of explosive powder. ``If it had detonated, it would have become shrapnel, like a grenade, and would have harmed anyone in close proximity,'' Brock said. ``At bare minimum, there would have been bodily damage and quite possibly, someone could have been killed by it.''

Hobbs is in the Summit County Jail. He is due back in court today.

Article Reference: Beacon Journal | 06/12/2007 | Man charged in pipe bomb scare