SEATTLE — The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office says a judge found probable cause during a first appearance Friday for "possession of an explosive device" and "malicious placement of an explosive device in the second degree" after Seattle police said a suspect left a pipe bomb in a Seattle parking garage Thursday.
Police responded to the 900 block of South Horton Street around 8 a.m. for a report of a suspicious item. Detectives from the Arson/Bomb Squad used a robot to examine and remove the device, and while police were investigating, the suspect returned and was arrested, according to police.
Seattle police said the suspect was identified using surveillance footage.
According to court documents, some workers at the parking garage recognized the man as someone they believe caused previous damage in the garage, including starting fires.
During Friday's court hearing, the defense argued there was no probable cause because police investigators could not confirm it was an explosive device.
Prosecutors called in a detective who said a burn test was completed to determine the item was explosive in nature.
There were already several warrants out for the suspect's arrest. According to the office, the suspect was arrested in November 2021 for burglary and released by a judge despite prosecutors' arguments that he be held, according to the prosecuting attorney's office. In February 2022, he was charged with burglary and the judge ordered electronic home detention, but he removed his monitor. In November 22, prosecutors charged him with another burglary while out of custody, according to the attorney's office.
"What King County prosecutors can do in these cases is exactly what we did do," King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office spokesperson Casey McNerthney said. "File these cases, go to court, go to a judge and say we think this person is likely to not follow court orders and in some cases be very dangerous, as we believe he was in this case."
The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office expects a formal charging decision next week when additional documents required by law are received from police.
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