WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	Plaza evacuated after bomb found in vehicle (Old Saybrook-WTNH) _ Police investigating a bomb found at an Old Saybrook shopping center. The device was found in a car in the parking lot. The suspect is an employee at one of the stores. News Channel 8's Peter Standring reports. Jeff MaGinniss, an employee at Town Fair Tire in Old Saybrook is under arrest tonight. The 22-year-old is charged with manufacturing and possessing an explosive device. In this case that device was a home-made bomb that MaGinniss brought to work this morning. Police found it in a box sitting in the back seat of his car. Why would anyone bring a bomb to work? Greg Knobelsdorff, Old Saybrook: "It's surprising, it's a very quiet shoreline area. I've been working here for two years and I've never seen anything like this." Much to their surprise Knobelsdorff and everyone else here was evacuated this morning right after police were tipped-off about the bomb. There was no panic, just a little confusion. Dave Heiney, Fire Chief: "A lot of people don't think things like this happen in Old Saybrook, it just goes to show ya can happen in any community in the state or in the country." In this case the police bomb squad found a crude but dangerous homemade bomb made of gun powder, a CO₂ cartridge, metal weights, and a fuse all taped together. Sgt. Cliff Barrows, Old Saybrook Police: "We were told by the bomb technician it was lethal within 30 feet." Peter: "So anyone within 30 feet could've been hurt if it went off?" Sgt. Barrows: "Very serious injuries yes." Fortunately it didn't go off, and no one was hurt. police dismantled the device and then had a dog search Town Fair Tire'. When the 'all clear' was given the plaza was re-opened. But as the accused's car was towed away everyone was wondering what was he thinking? Lisa Kessler, Store Manager: "It's terrible. I can't beleive people don't have respect for life, their lives, and other people's lives, that they have nothing better to do." Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

Plaza evacuated after bomb found in vehicle
(Old Saybrook-WTNH) _ Police investigating a bomb found at an Old Saybrook shopping center. The device was found in a car in the parking lot. The suspect is an employee at one of the stores.
News Channel 8's Peter Standring reports.

Jeff MaGinniss, an employee at Town Fair Tire in Old Saybrook is under arrest tonight. The 22-year-old is charged with manufacturing and possessing an explosive device. In this case that device was a home-made bomb that MaGinniss brought to work this morning. Police found it in a box sitting in the back seat of his car. Why would anyone bring a bomb to work?

Greg Knobelsdorff, Old Saybrook: "It's surprising, it's a very quiet shoreline area. I've been working here for two years and I've never seen anything like this."

Much to their surprise Knobelsdorff and everyone else here was evacuated this morning right after police were tipped-off about the bomb. There was no panic, just a little confusion.

Dave Heiney, Fire Chief: "A lot of people don't think things like this happen in Old Saybrook, it just goes to show ya can happen in any community in the state or in the country."

In this case the police bomb squad found a crude but dangerous homemade bomb made of gun powder, a CO₂ cartridge, metal weights, and a fuse all taped together.

Sgt. Cliff Barrows, Old Saybrook Police: "We were told by the bomb technician it was lethal within 30 feet."
Peter: "So anyone within 30 feet could've been hurt if it went off?"
Sgt. Barrows: "Very serious injuries yes."

Fortunately it didn't go off, and no one was hurt. police dismantled the device and then had a dog search Town Fair Tire'. When the 'all clear' was given the plaza was re-opened. But as the accused's car was towed away everyone was wondering what was he thinking?

Lisa Kessler, Store Manager: "It's terrible. I can't beleive people don't have respect for life, their lives, and other people's lives, that they have nothing better to do."

Today's News Page.

WTNH Home Page.