FBI Releases New Video In 2008 Times Square Bombing

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A $65,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the bomber wanted in the 2008 Times Square attack.

The case has remained unsolved since March 6, 2008, when a person riding a 10-speed blue Ross bicycle placed an explosive device at the U.S. Armed Forces Recruiting Station, lit a fuse and then fled the scene before the early morning blast, CBS 2's Tony Aiello reported.

The bike was later found in the trash. No arrests were ever made.

"Obviously, we're very frustrated. That's why we continue to pursue the investigation," FBI Agent Carlos Fernandez said.

On Tuesday, the FBI released new video of the bombing suspect, the cyclist, who was wearing a gray hoodie, and a picture of the explosive device used in the attack -- a military ammunition container which was filled with black powder and detonated using a time fuse.

"It was a device that was crude and yet very effective," Agent Fernandez said.

"Cleaned up the video a little bit and put that in a montage to make it a little bit more user-friendly," NYPD Deputy Chief Matthew Pontillo with the Joint Terrorism Task Force told reporters, including WCBS 880's Marla Diamond on Tuesday.

He said the video was released to coincide with the fifth anniversary of the bombing.

"We really believe that there are people out there who know something," Pontillo said. "Any information, no matter how small or insignificant one might think it is, may be very significant to us."

The Times Square attack could be connected to at least two other unsolved bombings on the Mexican consulate in 2007 and the British consulate in 2005, the FBI said.

In each case, a person on a bike delivered the bombs which were then detonated between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m.

Dummy grenades packed with explosive powder caused minor damage in the earlier attacks, but sources said the explosive in the Times Square attack was in an ammunition can -- commonly found on battlefields Iraq and Afghanistan -- and was as powerful as the bombs that went off at the Boston Marathon, 1010 WINS' Juliet Papa reported.

"While published reports have repeatedly cited the early morning time of the attack and the lack of casualties, the fact is the bomber narrowly missed killing or injuring passers-by who can be seen clearly in the vicinity, moments before the blast," said New York City Police Department Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly. "The distance between polemics by bombing and the murdering of innocents is short, indeed."

The FBI said although the suspected bomber appears to be working alone, a lookout or surveillance team of up to five other people could have been involved.

"Hoping we can compel people who five years ago weren't in a position to assist the government are in a position now to assist us with new leads," Agent Fernandez said.

"Someone, somewhere, knows something about a bomber who's still on the run," said FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge George Venizelos. "Today we're asking for the public's assistance in finding those responsible and encouraging the public to look closely at these photos and video, which could be the key to breaking the case."

Anyone with information on any of the three bombings is encouraged to call the FBI at 212-384-1000. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

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