By John Dobberstein, Editor
Federal prosecutors say an explosive device found during a traffic stop in Broken Arrow last Monday was made of fireworks, screws, rivets and fishhooks.
The alleged bombmaker, Zane Paul Bennett, 20, of Broken Arrow was charged preliminarily in federal court Thursday with unlawful manufacture of a destructive device. For the case to proceed to trial, the U.S. Attorney’s Office must present the charge to a grand jury within 30 days.
Broken Arrow police conducted a traffic stop around 3:45 p.m. in the 4000 block of E. Kenosha St. after learning that Mariah Davis, Bennett’s partner, had allegedly been observed shoplifting at a retail store.
While speaking to Davis, an officer observed what appeared to be a destructive device in the back seat of the vehicle. The woman explained that the device belonged to her boyfriend, Bennett.
Davis called Bennett, who arrived on foot and asked if he could take possession of the vehicle if Davis was going to be detained. After officers advised Bennett of his rights, Bennett told them that he manufactured the destructive device, the government said.
Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were called and conducted interviews with the couple. Bennett allegedly indicated he had manufactured the destructive device in a nearby motel where the couple was staying.
The Tulsa Police Department Bomb Squad x-rayed the destructive device, which showed several large fish hooks, screws and rivets in the device, along with a large quantity of small fireworks packed together. The device was dismantled and the components retained.
After obtaining a search warrant of Bennett’s hotel room in Broken Arrow, officers and agents with the Broken Arrow Police Department and ATF located and seized fireworks and a metal rivet consistent with what was found in the destructive device.
According to a police report of the incident, Bennett told police he was “going blow some things up” with the device but he didn’t intend to hurt anyone.
A police report stated that Davis was taken into custody andreferred to Muscogee Creek Nation Court on a charge of petit larceny.
The ATF, Broken Arrow Police Department, Tulsa Police Department, and Oklahoma Highway Patrol are the investigative agencies.
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