Remember The Police Car Bombing In Leonard?

Leonard is just a few miles from here, in Fannin County.

Looks like they got caught, and it was a bunch of teens.

http://www.heraldbanner.com/homepage/local_story_221012601.html


Suspects arrested, charged in Fannin County bombings

By BRAD KELLAR
Herald-Banner Staff

Five teenage suspects have been arrested and charged with arson in connection with a series of explosions across Fannin County related to homemade pipe bombs.

The suspects all face the potential for life prison sentences if convicted of multiple first degree felony counts.

Fannin County Sheriff Kenneth Moore announced Wednesday that his office and the Leonard Police Department executed arrest warrants on the suspects Tuesday morning.

The individuals reportedly surrendered themselves to the custody of the sheriff's office at approximately 6:37 a.m. Tuesday. Moore said the charges stemmed from an investigation conducted by the Leonard Police Department, Fannin County Sheriff's Office, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and the Arson Investigation Unit of the Dallas Fire Department.

Arrested were Eric Williams, 17; Jake Williams, 18; Jonathan Stringer, 17; James Gardener, 17; and William Bearden, 17. Addresses for the individuals were not immediately released.

Each of the five suspects were charged with three first-degree felony arson counts. Gardener and Eric Williams were also each charged with one second degree charge of arson.

First degree felonies are punishable upon conviction by a maximum sentence upon conviction of from five to 99 years to life in prison and an optional fine of up to $10,000 for each count. Second degree felonies are punishable by a maximum sentence upon conviction of from two to 20 years in prison and an optional fine of up to $10,000.

Bond was set at $20,000 for each individual charge for all five suspects. Gardener and Bearden were reported to have remained in custody as of Wednesday morning. All cases will be presented to the Fannin County District Attorney's Office, Moore said.

Moore has previously indicated the investigation covered six separate acts of criminal mischief in Fannin County during the month of July, including an incident in which a Leonard Police Department patrol car was seriously damaged by two of the bombs. In each of the cases, an explosive device had been detonated. No injuries were reported.

One or more persons placed two explosive devices on the Leonard police patrol car at around 2:30 a.m. July 10. The vehicle was parked at an officer's residence in the 100 block of North Main Street in Leonard when the explosions occurred, causing some $2,000 damage to the trunk, back window and overhead light bar. The officer had just gone off duty before the explosions were reported.

At least three of the suspects had gone to the Leonard Police Department for questioning and each gave a written confession about purchasing the items to make the bombs, how they were made and the locations where the devices had been detonated.