ELPD apprehends suspect in local explosions

The East Lansing Police Department has identified a suspect for at least two of the five explosions that occurred during the summer months.

Wibert

Police said they identified a 20-year-old male MSU student from Linden, Mich., who might have been responsible for two of the recent series of explosions.

On May 25, the first explosion at the intersection of Grove and Elizabeth streets was reported. A second explosion occurred June 9 in the Cron Management parking lot, 117 Center St.

Two more explosions occurred in July, with a July 15 explosion in a Granger Container Service Dumpster behind 348 Oakhill Ave. and a July 16 explosion at the intersection of Evergreen Avenue and Fern Street.

Another explosion was reported to police Aug. 5 in a stairway at The Oaks apartment complex, 136 Reniger Court. East Lansing police Chief Tom Wibert said police are looking into whether the latest explosion is connected to the previous four, although they believe there are other people involved.

Wibert said police were led to the suspect after receiving a tip based on information about a possible employer of the suspect.

“That description was close enough that someone recognized (it) and gave us a tip,” Wibert said.

Police said earlier this week they believed the suspect worked as a repo man and acquired the explosives in a repossessed vehicle.

East Lansing police Detective Sherief Fadly said a witness met the suspects at a party where one of the suspects said he worked as a repo man and produced one of the pear-shaped explosives to the witness.

On Aug. 5, Fadly said he believed the suspects seen at the party were in possession of at least one more explosive.

The witness’ tip helped police narrow down the description of the possible suspects.

Currently, police are continuing an investigation on whether all the explosions are related, but they believe at least two of them can be linked to the suspect.

English education senior Rayna Ketchum said although she doesn’t think the person responsible for the explosions meant to harm people, she is glad police might have caught their man.

“It makes me feel better that they have a suspect,” she said.

“It shows they’re on the right track. It’s nervewracking knowing there’s someone out there making explosives.”

Wibert said the investigation is ongoing and police have not released the name of the student.

He said more than one person is involved with the explosions and the department is currently looking into more tips.

Police are encouraging anyone with information to contact the East Lansing Police Department at (517) 351-4220.

Staff writer Zane McMillin contributed to this story.