MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
A joint
investigation involving the Fire/EMS Department’s Office of the Fire Marshal
and the Prince George’s County Police Department resulted in the discovery and
mitigation of criminal activity involving explosives. Two federal
agencies, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives (ATF) and the
Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) also assisted with the investigation.
An on-going
investigation into a pipe bomb incident that occurred on December 18 at a home in the 8800 block of 48th Avenue in College Park led investigators to two
other College Park homes. Tuesday’s incident has not been forensically
linked to today's incident; however, investigators believe that there is a
relationship between the two incidents. Analysis of forensic evidence
will determine if these incidents are conclusively linked.
At
approximately 4:00 am, Friday, December 21, investigators developed information
indicating that a potential hazardous device was located in a van parked in the
5000 block of Edgewood Road. The Fire/EMS Department’s Bomb Squad
disrupted the device and rendered it safe. The contents of the device
were collected and will be examined at a forensics laboratory. The
associated residence was checked for additional hazardous devices with none
being located.
At approximately
10:30 am a search warrant was executed on a house in the 9000 block of Rhode
Island Avenue, intersection of Blackfoot Place, by the bomb squad and members of law enforcement. As a
result of the criminal investigation John Frank Jenkins (W/M 12/25/83), resident of the
Rhode Island Ave address, was arrested and has been charged with two felony
counts of “Manufacture or possession of a destructive device”, (Criminal Law
Article 4-503) which carries a maximum penalty of 25 Years and/or a fine of
$250,000. As this remains an open and ongoing investigation, additional
charges are possible. No additional hazardous devices were discovered at
this location. An adult female occupant was also arrested on an unrelated
open warrant.
Deputy Fire
Chief Scott Hoglander stated, "This investigation involved serious
criminal activity that included explosives. I'm confident that we stopped
activity that could have resulted in harm to innocent people and property
damage."
Fire Chief Marc
Bashoor stated, "The successful mitigation of this dangerous activity is a result of an around the clock investigation by our the Office of
the Fire Marshal and the cooperation of the County Police and Federal
Partners."
The County
Police, FBI and ATF have jointly participated in this on-going investigation.
The City of Annapolis Fire Department’s Bomb Squad also assisted at the
two incidents today.
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| John Frank Jenkins (W/M 12/25/83), resident of the Rhode Island Avenue address. |
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| Fire/EMS Department Bomb Squad members are briefed before conducting search of a house on Rhode Island Avenue. |
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|
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| Incident Command bus and Annapolis City Bomb Squad staged near Rhode Island Avenue |
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| The intersection of Blackfoot Place and Rhode Island Avenue was closed while the search was conducted. |
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| A Fire/EMS Department Bomb Squad member prepares for the search for explosive devices. |
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