Share and Follow
The motive of a man accused of making and scattering explosives along footpaths in the nation’s capital has so far eluded police.
The 41-year-old is accused of stealing and purchasing items needed to create pipe bombs from a Bunnings store in Belconnen, in Canberra’s northwest.
Almost a dozen of the explosives were found strewn along parkland footpaths last week.
ACT Policing Detective Sergeant Samuel Harris said a combination of information from the public and detective work led officers to the man’s house in Belconnen on Saturday.
There, police allegedly found items used to assemble pipe bombs.
A suspect was apprehended in a Gungahlin residence, located in the northern part of the city, during a late-night operation on Saturday. The individual is scheduled to appear before the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday, where they will face the initial charges.
Authorities have confirmed that investigations are still underway, and additional charges might be forthcoming as the case progresses.
Harris said the man was known to police and was thought to have acted alone.
“At this stage, we don’t believe anyone else was involved,” he told reporters on Sunday.
“We haven’t identified any motivation, but we are confident it’s not related to terrorism.”
The man has been charged with unauthorised manufacture of a prohibited dangerous substance, possessing a prohibited weapon, and theft.
Investigations are ongoing and further charges are expected.
The tube-shaped objects were first found by members of the public on Tuesday.
As of Thursday, at least 11 pipe bombs had been found along a one-kilometre stretch of footpath near Lake Ginninderra, a popular parkland area for runners and dog walkers.
Some of the explosives appeared to have gone off before being found, while others were discovered intact.
“We’ve done an extensive search of the area and we’re confident we’ve located all the ones placed outside,” Harris said.
Police do not believe anyone was hurt when the explosives detonated.
