‘Serial bomber’ eyed in Austin blasts

Bicyclists triggered latest device with a tripwire

AUSTIN – An explosion that seriously wounded two men and rocked a quiet neighborhood appears to be connected to a string of sometimes deadly blasts this month that have fueled fear across the Texas capital, authorities said Monday.

“Clearly, we are dealing with a serial bomber,” Police Chief Brian Manley said.

Manley said a bomb placed alongside a fence had tripwire that the men triggered with their bikes Sunday night. The use of a tripwire, he said, reflects a “higher level of sophistication” than the technology used in the earlier bombings.

Manley said the men suffered “significant” injuries. He said a sweep indicated the area was safe, but he urged residents within a half-mile of the blast site to remain indoors until 2 p.m. local time.

The chief also said 500 law enforcement officials involved in the case at the local, state and federal levels have found “persons of interest,” but no clear suspects have emerged. Authorities asked residents to share home-security video for clues.

The previous three blasts involved suspicious packages left on doorsteps. Manley said the latest bomb, near a road and including tripwire technology, “changes things.”

“Our safety message to this point has been ... do not handle packages, do not pick up packages, do not disturb packages,” Manley said. “We now need the community to have an extra level of vigilance and pay attention to any suspicious device – whether it be a package, a bag, a backpack – anything that looks out of place. Do not approach it.”

Frederick Milanowski, special agent in charge with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said the tripwire was similar to fishing line and would have been difficult to see. Investigators were studying the components of the bomb and injuries to the victims to learn more about the explosives, he said.

The bombs may be different, but the bombmaker is the same, he said.