Dale Stewart, man arrested for Weare bombings, held without bail following arraignment
WEARE, N.H. - A man has been arrested in connection with two bombs that exploded in Weare, New Hampshire this week.
Police said 52-year-old Dale Stewart Jr. of Webster, N.H. was arrested Thursday evening and investigators searched his home and vehicle. They said they found a "fully constructed" pipe bomb. The bomb squad was called in and it was "neutralized."
Stewart was arraigned Friday in Hillsborough County Superior Court and ordered held without bail. He's charged with throwing/placing explosives, possession of an infernal machine, reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, second-degree assault with extreme indifference, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief.
"There is clear and convincing evidence that his release would pose a danger to the public," the prosecutor said. "Here the defendant has alleged to have lit and left explode two incendiary devices."
The first bomb exploded Wednesday night on Dustin Tavern Road. A passerby suffered minor injuries when a piece of it hit them in the head.
The second exploded Thursday morning six miles away on Sugar Hill Road. Craig Waldron was driving down the street in his van when the explosion blew a window out. He wasn't hurt. He said it was a pipe bomb.
"If he had been just seconds slower in getting back to his car we don't know what would've happened," the prosecutor said.
Waldron described it as a "one-foot piece of PVC with black tape holding the caps on." He said it was "still half full of black powder and packed with a white t-shirt."
Police were able to identify Dale's vehicle through surveillance footage of the area.
"They also located the defendant at a gas station in the area. Upon discussion with the defendant, he admitted to the conduct. As well as searching his vehicle they found an additional incendiary device that had yet to take place and exploded," the prosecutor said.
Stewart's attorney said he was seriously injured in a car crash a year ago, has fallen on hard times and his wife says he hasn't been the same since the accident.
He says he has no previous convictions on his record and needs to be evaluated.
"She believes and I think what's appropriate here to try get some services in place and get him working through some of the mental health issues that have significantly changed the man who was preinjury to the man he is today," Stewart's defense attorney said.
Stewart is due back in court for a second hearing pending a mental health evaluation.
ATF agents said they did not believe anyone specific was targeted by the bombs.
