Prospect man charged with making pipe bombs

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PROSPECT — A local man has been charged with making pipe bombs after state police said he showed off a homemade device to a man at the Prospect Mobil Gas Station on New Haven Road.

Eric S. Russell, 37, of 68 Straitsville Road, was charged with illegal possession of explosives and manufacturing of bombs.

He was released on a $25,000 bond to appear June 6 at Waterbury Superior Court.

At 7:43 p.m. on Wednesday, Troop I state police barracks in Bethany was notified of a suspicious incident involving the possible possession of a pipe bomb.

A witness reported that Russell approached him while they were both at the gas station at 2 New Haven Road, state police said.

The witness, who wasn’t identified, reported to police that Russell led him to his pickup truck, where he showed what he described as a homemade pipe bomb.

Russell asked the witness if he was interested in any of the devices, as he had more at his home, state police said.

Troopers with local police officers responded to Russell’s residence, where they found him, state police said. They performed a consensual search of his vehicle, but found no devices.

Russell told police he had small pipe bombs in his bedroom. State police said a voluntary consent to search his home was given.

The Connecticut State Police Emergency Services Unit Bomb Squad responded and bomb technicians found three homemade pipe bombs, which were made safe, state police said.