Thursday, May 13, 2010

Man from Lalor Park charged after bomb found in backseat of car in Sydney

AAP

May 13, 2010
6:02PM

A BOMB found on the backseat of a car in Sydney's suburban north west doesn't appear to be related to terrorism, police say.

Officers patrolling in Kellyville at about 12.45am today discovered the improvised explosive device after becoming suspicious of the car due to anomalies with its number plate.

After conducting a routine traffic stop at Arnold Avenue a vehicle search revealed what is thought to be a home-made bomb, consisting of accelerants, a timer and wires.

Specialist police attended and rendered the device harmless.

"As a result, they cordoned off the area, called in our bomb squad, (and) made sure the device was rendered safe," Assistant Commissioner Denis Clifford told reporters.

The car's driver, a 46-year-old man from Frederick Avenue, Lalor Park, has been arrested and after being questioned by police has been charged with deliver explosive substance with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of explosives, firearms offences and an offence relating to documents containing threats.

Mr Clifford ruled out any links with terrorism, saying police are investigating whether it's related to a domestic dispute.

"We are also keen to speak to this person about an incident at Normanhurst in March this year where a suspicious device was found on the steps of a premises," he said.

"That leads me to believe that this may well be related to a domestic situation."

Mr Clifford said the bomb was unsophisticated, but could cause a lot of damage.

"God knows what would have happened if the police hadn't intervened," he said.

Police searched the arrested man's home and state they found several items, including a firearm. Officers from strike force bulloo, which was formed by Kuring Gai detectives last month to investigate a suspicious device which had been located outside a home at Normanhurst on March 31 have assisted with questioning.

The man has been refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court tomorrow.

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