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Show r Tuesday, July 25, 1995 Pipe Bomb discovered in automobile 4 I'M ' v -.... . . 4- 3 -X' DAVID GROVERfHE SIGNPOST Weber State University police discovered a pipe bomb Wednesday in a Pontiacparked in a vacant lot adjacent Annex 9. Police worked with experts from the 75th Civil Engineering Group Explosive Ordinance Disposal Division from Hill Air Force Base who later disarmed the bomb. Two suspects were arrested and taken to Weber County Jail. By David Grover Signpost news editor An Explosive Ordinance Division from Hill Air Force Base was called out Wednesday morning after Weber State University police received two calls regarding a suspicious-looking automobile parked just south of Annex 9. WSU police Sgt. Kent Kiernan was the first on the scene. Kiernan arrived to find two individuals in the Pontine Sunbird, which was parked in the vacant lot adjacent Annex 9. "We checked the vehicle and occupants," Kiernan said. "Upon interviewing them, we discovered suspicious circumstances that led to further investigation," he said. Police searched the car Residence Halls student arrested for sexual abuse By Natalie Peay Signpost Acting editor in chief A forcible sexual abuse charge was brought against a student living at Weber State University's Residence Halls. Thabo Mzilikazi was arrested June 30 after allegedly kidnapping an individual and sexually abusing the victim. The kidnapping charge was dropped after TT 4 .... - and found several suspicious items, including drug paraphernalia, a small-caliber handgun and a box. University police secured the area and Kiernan made the decision to contact the HAFB EOD. "When they did an inventory of the car they found a plastic box," Carol Berrey , executive director of government and public affairs, said. "They looked in the box and what they saw might have been a bomb." According to HAFB officials, that's exactly what it was. "(WSU police) were searching the car and they pulled out a black box," Sgt. Caygle, a technician with the 75th Civil Engineering Group EOD, said. "There was a pipe bomb in it." Caygle said that WSU police had contacted the EOD and had briefed them on the situation before they arrived. the arrest. Executiv e Director of Government and Public Affairs Carol Berrey said the incident took place in the Residence Halls where he was residing at that time. Mzilikazi was taken to Weber Count)' Jail and a trial date wasset for Sept. 5. Bail was originally set at $30,000, but was reduced to $10,000, following a judge'sruling. """M" . . Vrt f SMI rrr Si ' '1 4 - "We always treat any thing real whether it's real or not," he said. The seven-member EOD team was dispatched from HAFB and acted quickly to survey the situation.The team deployed a remote-control robot to take video of the area and discern the best possible plan of attack. "We went down with the robot first to get a remote reconnaissance," Caygle said. "Then we came back and formulated our plans as to how we were going to disarm it." The team shot the pipe bomb wi th a .50-caliber gun. Caygle said the technique spins the bomb and disarms it by throwingeverything out. He agreed that it was a near-perfect success. "It went smooth. We disarmed it without anyone getting hurt and that's what we're after," Caygle said. Gabriel Painter, 20, and An Mzilikazi was employed this summer by Quest, an organization that helps minority students integrate into the university. "Until charges are cleared up, he will not be able to continue his work at Quest or live in the dorms," Berrey said. Mzilikazi has not been expel led from school, but Berrey said he will not be able to attend any classes until the charges have been r M 4 -" " . .- , ' - 4 IT .. gela Brooks, 25, both transient, but with ties to the Ogden area, were arrested and taken to Weber County Jail. Painter was charged with six counts, including possession of an infernal device, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a concealed weapon. Painter was sentenced to 90 days in jail on a previous warrant for his arrest. Brooks was released on her own recognizance but is schelduled to appear before a judge in August. In a hearing on July 21, two of the six original charges weredropped against Painter because they did not pertain to the evidence in question. Bail was set at $6,590. A sentencing hearing for both has not been scheduled. dropped in order to insure the safety of the other students on campus. "W-e are trying to balance the needs of the students with the rights of the individual," Berrey said. Editors Note: Tlw Siyipost was unable to obtain public police records from WSU Police Department. Staff at the Residence I lalls was unavailable for comment. Volume 58 Number 6 Quick Takes New Pops concert Monday a booming success and a lot of fun for everyone See page 2 Opinion City workers receive much deserved pay increase See page 4 JU Sports Take a peek at the upcoming 1995-96 WSU Athletic Season See page 7 Weather Wednesday . Mostly sunny & hot V 90's50's - A ' H? Thursday More sun & heat vjV '- 90's50's |