Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 7, 1991 TAG: 9102070411
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Authorities said the bomb, in a metal box, was discovered about 10:30 a.m. near the residence of Robert Purdy, just off Virginia 687 about two miles west of Martinsville.
Someone spotted the container and carried it to a grassy area further away from the house, police said. The bomb was discovered after Vicki Foley, an acquaintance of Purdy's, moved her car.
Cecil Handy, special agent in charge of investigations for the state police in Salem, said police had not established a motive, but he said several leads had been developed.
"It does not appear to be connected with any terrorist activity," he said.
The explosive was sealed in the metal box, which had been coated with a substance resembling undercoating for an automobile.
"Had it gone off underneath the car, it would have done considerable damage," Handy said. "It tore up sandbags we had around it right bad."
Because of the heavy container, police worked for several hours trying to determine whether the package was a bomb. Handy said police used a portable X-ray machine in an attempt to survey the interior of the box, which contained several wires leading to a battery.
Police took about 25 X-rays before deciding to detonate the explosive where they found it. They packed it in sandbags before using a detonator with a small explosive charge shortly after 2 p.m.
Handy said police were unsure what kind of explosive was used in the bomb. Residue from the explosive was being sent to a forensics lab in Roanoke for analysis.
by CNB