Police identify suspected mailbox bombers

WESTFIELD, Ind. (WISH) - Westfield police have identified four teens and one juvenile who they believe are responsible for the Westfield mailbox bombings.

According to a release from the Westfield Police Department, officers observed a group of men buying ingredients needed to make pressurized devices at a local Wal-mart. After hearing about the recent bombings, the officer contacted Westfield Police.

“Kids may view it as a harmless act of just going out and having fun. It's not ok to damage other people's property and this is a dangerous thing to do. It could have injured them as they made them,” says Sergeant Rob Dine with Westfield Police.

The Westfield Police Department then obtained security video from the Wal-mart and identified and later interviewed the suspects.

“They came flying around the corner about that time and almost run into me. The young man that did why had a bottle of the works cleaner in his hand,” says Chief Bill Curl.

Police chief Bill Curl says he knew that was the chemical needed for the devices.

He also knew Westfield police were searching for vandals.

“The young man that about ran into me he's walking on ahead of them and one of them speaks up and says something to him, ‘your the man’ ‘I can't believe you're this crazy’,” says Chief Curl. “The more they talked the more I thought that's strange.”

As a result, four 18-year-olds were charged in the incident. Zachary Loftalian, Grant Plummer, Maxwell Jackson, and John R. Rogers were charged with using an overpressure device and criminal mischief.

All four suspect were issued a summons to appear in court on Feb. 20. All of the counts are misdemeanors.

Earlier this month, four mailboxes were destroyed by explosive devices in the area.

Police believe the mailboxes were destroyed with home-made explosives described as "over pressure devices. " These types of explosives are commonly seen in the form of a sealed 2-liter bottle containing common household cleaners and aluminum foil.