A 36-year-old man who placed incendiary devices outside a Maryland fire station several times recently has been arrested, Prince George’s County police said.
Slater Chaia from District Heights, Maryland, was arrested on Saturday, police said. A police officer found Chaia across the street from Station 805 in Capitol Heights on Saturday morning. Police then arrested him.
Chaia hit Station 805 in Capitol Heights three times in the past few months, police said.
He walks up to the station and places what authorities call improvised incendiary devices similar to Molotov cocktails, investigators said. One was put in the mailbox.
On Aug. 13, he struck at 8 a.m.
“Prince George’s County fire department’s bomb squad responded, rendered the devices safe and recovered them for evidence,” said Caroll Spriggs of Prince George’s County Fire and EMS.
Chaia has been transported to the Department of Corrections for processing where he is being held without bond.
He faces two felony charges, including possession of a destructive device and possession of incendiary material with intent to create a destructive device. He also faces reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor charge. He could face up to 25 years for the felony charges, according to police.
Prince George’s County police search for the man
Authorities said they’re worried someone could have gotten hurt.
“God forbid one of our young people get ahold of one of these devices and become harmed,” Prince George’s County Bureau of Homeland Security Deputy Chief James McCreary said.
Police released photos of Chaia from a Metro station. His distinctive Members Only jacket is adorned with Tom and Jerry cartoon characters.
Investigators didn’t want to say much about how the devices were made but said they’ve gotten more dangerous.
“The initial devices were inert, but, again, they seem to be progressing,” McCreary said. “The last device we had at this location could have been something, potentially, that would have harmed someone if it was able to be activated.”
The fire station continues to operate 24 hours a day. Safety precautions have been taken to keep first responders safe, officials said.
“The women and men who work in this station have continued to show up each and every day.” Spriggs said. “They continue to provide a service to this community and they will continue to do so.”
Police believe the station is being targeted but don’t know why.
“The way I see it, he was trying to intimidate the people who work here, and that’s why we think it’s a grave threat,” said Charles Doerrer of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The ATF is assisting with the investigation.
from Local – NBC4 Washington https://ift.tt/0g6fzCJ
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