| In the interest of speed and timeliness, this story is fed directly from the Associated Press newswire and may contain spelling or grammatical errors. |
Monterey authorities investigate bomb-like devices at Schwab
Tuesday August 19, 2003CARMEL, Calif. (AP) Monterey County authorities said Tuesday they are not sure whether the two bomb-like devices they destroyed at a Charles Schwab Corp. office and near the businessman's house would have exploded, but they contained enough explosive materials to prompt a response.
Bomb experts were piecing together the devices, talking to Schwab and his staff and studying surveillance tapes in search of suspects, Monterey Sheriff Mike Kanalakis said Tuesday.
He said X-rays showed that two briefcases contained propane canisters that could create a blast large enough to cause serious injury or death. A bomb squad from Santa Cruz County safely detonated the devices Monday afternoon.
Schwab spokesman Glen Mathison said there was no evidence the briefcases posed an immediate threat. Mathison also said there's no reason to believe other Schwab offices may become targets.
The briefcases were placed outside a Schwab brokerage office in Carmel and near Schwab's weekend home overlooking the Pebble Beach golf course. Schwab wasn't at the house when the briefcase was found, Mathison said.
``At this point, there are no suspects and no motive,'' Kanalakis said, adding that officials thought the same person was responsible for both devices.
Schwab is cooperating with the investigation, Mathison said.
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