FBI: Significant amount of evidence collected in Las Cruces church explosions
A significant amount of evidence has been collected in the investigation of the explosions at two churches in Las Cruces.
Bryan Finnegan, Assistant Special Agent in Charge out of Albuquerque, would not say what evidence was collected but did say it is being analyzed at a federal laboratory to identify the person or people involved.
He said it is not known at this time if one or more people were involved in the explosions.
“Someone out there saw something, someone out there knew something. And if this actor is listening, turn yourself in,” Finnegan said at a news conference. “Get this over with. We know you’re looking over your shoulder, we know you want to do the right thing and turn yourself in and confess to this crime. Please do so as quickly as possible.”
Finnegan said the FBI has received several tips through a special hotline set up in connection with the cases. The hotline number is 1-800-Call-FBI, or 1-800-225-5324.
“We’re investigating them as a similar event. Obviously they occurred within 20 or so minutes of one another (and) obviously within a few miles of one another,” Finnegan said. “We’re trying to connect the dots to identify who this person or these people may be.”
No injuries were reported and only minor damage was done at Calvary Baptist Church and Holy Cross Catholic Church. Calvary Baptist Church at 1800 Locust St. and Holy Cross is at 1327 N. Miranda St. The two churches are separated by slightly more than three miles.
At around 8:20 a.m. Sunday, Las Cruces Police were sent to Calvary Baptist Church where a mailbox had been damaged by an explosive device. The mailbox was located on a wall near the administrative entrance to the church. Several worshippers were gathering inside the church as services were set to begin at 8:30 a.m.
At around 8:40 a.m., police were sent to Holy Cross Catholic Church where an explosive device detonated inside a trash receptacle near the front entrance of the parish. Church services there began at 8 a.m. and were underway at the time of the explosion in the trash receptacle. Parishioners were evacuated through another exit.
The explosive device at Holy Cross caused damage to the trash container and to the glass entryway.
