http://youtu.be/qlnOAg3KRKA
New developments Friday in the bombings near two Las Cruces churches…Calvary Baptist and Holy Cross Catholic Church. The FBI is now offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to a suspect or suspects in the Sunday attacks. That’s on top of a $5,000 reward from Las Cruces Crime Stoppers. Anyone with information should call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
A surveillance video from Calvary Baptist was also released. It’s tough to identify the person in the video, which was recorded around the time of the explosion. The FBI’s Carol Lee says it is a man in a dark blue short-sleeve shirt, plaid shorts, and hiking boots.
Lee added law enforcement officials have conducted numerous interviews and have tracked down “scores of tips.” The FBI confirmed two explosive devices were recovered…one from each of the two churches. But the FBI would not provide any additional information about those devices.
The bombings at the churches did not result in any injuries, but law enforcement officials say the blasts in a mailbox and trash can could have hurt people had they been nearby.
Las Cruces Police says the department does not believe the church bombings are related to a suspicious package left at the Mesilla Valley Mall in Las Cruces Thursday. The mall was evacuated and police are also looking for a suspect in that case, which did not involve a dangerous device.
MORE FROM LAS CRUCES POLICE:
Authorities Want to Question Man Seen in Video near Baptist Church
Investigators looking into Sunday morning’s detonation of explosive devices outside two Las Cruces churches are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a man seen on surveillance video near Calvary Baptist Church, and the FBI is now offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information that helps solve the case.
The FBI’s reward of up to $20,000 is for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for placing the two devices.
The man recorded on surveillance video was seen walking to and from Calvary Baptist Church around the time of the explosion there last Sunday. He was wearing plaid shorts and a blue, short-sleeve T-shirt shirt.
Investigators are calling this man a person of interest but do not necessarily believe he is a suspect. Anyone who can help identify the man is asked to call the FBI tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
The device at Calvary Baptist Church detonated at approximately 8:20 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, while the device at Holy Cross Catholic Church was reported about 20 minutes later. No injuries were reported.
Investigators believe the two explosive devices could have caused serious injury or death had someone been within close proximity at the time of detonation.
Law enforcement encourages residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior within their workplace, place of worship, or any public or private area. Anyone who sees a suspicious package or device should refrain from approaching or handling it. Immediately call (575) 526-0795 or 911 to report any suspicious device or person.
The multi-agency investigation is being conducted by the Las Cruces Police Department; Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office; New Mexico State Police; New Mexico State University Police; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and the Department of Homeland Security.