ATF announces arrest in 2 separate explosions in New Hampshire town

Bryan Lambert
·3 min read
10

Police have arrested the man they believe planted two pipe bombs in Weare, New Hampshire this week, one of which injured a bystander.

Dale Stewart Jr., 54, is facing multiple felony charges in connection to the two explosions that rocked the small Granite State town this week, ATF Boston and Weare police announced.

Police arrested Stewart Thursday after identifying his vehicle through with the help of surveillance video, Weare police say. The Webster man was arrested at his residence around 6:00 p.m. Thursday night. Another pipe bomb was found on Stewart’s property after investigators obtained a search warrant. The New Hampshire State Police Bomb Squad arrived at the scene and was able to safely neutralize the device.

Stewart’s arrest came almost exactly 24 hours after the first bomb detonated, prompting the day-long search and investigation.

The first pipe bomb exploded on Dustin Tavern Road just after 6 p.m. Wednesday night while the second explosion occurred 7:00 a.m. Thursday morning around 6 to 7 miles away on Sugar Hill Road.

Craig Waldron told Boston 25 News he was driving down Sugar Hill Road when he noticed something smoldering and smoking. When Waldron went to investigate, what he described as a PVC pipe exploded, leaving him with minor cuts and shattering a window on his van.

“I was just trying to make sure there was no fires going on. And as soon as I saw it wasn’t a brush fire I started to move and then it exploded,” said Waldron. “It was loud, like somebody setting a cannon off on the fourth of July. You could hear it through the whole town.”

Weare police say Stewart has admitted that he made the devices at home, crafting a PVC pipe loaded with muzzleloader powder and a cannon fuse.

According to court documents, Stewart told investigators he just made a “big firecracker.”

Concord Stage Road and Sugar Hill Road were shut down early Thursday morning while officials investigated the area.

Stewart will be arraigned in Hillsborough County Superior Court Friday on two felony charges of throwing/ placing explosives, three felony counts of possession of an infernal machine, two felony counts of conduct with a deadly weapon, 2nd-degree assault with extreme difference, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief.

“We wish to express our sincere gratitude to all agencies for their professional efforts and unyielding dedication and to our community members as well for their assistance and continued support,” said Weare police in a statement.

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