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When Al-Qaeda calls a bomb-making substance the “Mother of Satan” you can be assured it has devastating powers. Experts say a Florida man had enough of the material in his home to blow up a city block.
The same substance has been long used by al-Qaeda. It was used in the 2017 Manchester bombing in the UK, which killed 52 people and wounded another 700. It was also used in the 2015 Paris attacks, and by the 2001 “Shoe Bomber” Richard Reid.
Surprisingly, the powerful, white crystalline, granular material – known as Triacetone triperoxide – can be made with common household products, such as nail polish remover, hair dye, stump remover and other ingredients.
Police said they were grateful for receiving a crime watch tip on Tuesday that informed them that a bomb was under a bed at home on Pennsylvania Avenue in Lake Helen, which led to the man’s arrest.
Upon arrival, authorities found the explosive materials stored in Mason jars inside the home.
Police arrested Jared Coburn, 37, in his Lake Helen, Florida home on Tuesday after they had received a tip about explosive materials at his home. He will be charged with making devices.
It appears the man had no ill intentions, but was simply a hobbyist, according to police reports, who also said Coburn was “highly intelligent.”
Coburn explained to authorities that he was “making his own version of a firework.”
Police said that Coburn told them he had first began building model rockets, but after growing bored and looking for further excitement, he watched YouTube videos to “progress his knowledge” and began to experiment with building other types of explosives.
Authority said that there was enough of the substance to detonate an entire city block. The chemicals are highly unstable and volatile, making them dangerous to move.
Officials from the Federal Bureau of investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives (ATF) arrived at the house to help with the removal of the material. Authorities used a robot to recover the substance, and then chose a nearby field to detonate the explosives.
