Nine-day terrorism spree alarms residents, responders

by Shirley Ayers, editor

VALLEJO, CA - The people in this city on San Francisco Bay know first hand about the effects of terrorism on a community. For nine days this past winter, Vallejo was besieged by a wave of bombings that terrified residents and emergency responders alike.

The string of bombings began on January 25 when two children discovered a bag containing thirty sticks of dynamite near the public library downtown. Less than twelve hours later an explosion ripped a hole in the wall of the Wells Fargo Bank. Four days later, on January 30, a pre-dawn blast at the Vallejo-Benicia Municipal Courts building in Vallejo, caused substantial damage to the courthouse as well as nearby businesses. Bomb threats earlier in the week had forced evacuation of several government and commercial establishments.

"A bomb is such an impersonal type of thing," said Captain Al Lehman of the Vallejo Police Department. "You never see the person who set it off - you can't deal with it on a human level."

Several local government agencies became involved in the response. A bomb expert from the Department of Forestries participated, as well as the Vallejo Police Department, the Vallejo Fire Department, and the Public Works Department. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms arrived in the city immediately upon the discovery of the first sticks of dynamite and was there when the ensuing explosions occurred. The FBI, California Highway Patrol, Solano County Sheriff's Office and the California Fire Marshal also participated in the investigation. Some forty investigators were involved.

As the violence escalated. residents became increasingly nervous. "People are worried, will our school be next?" said a 15-year-old high school student, whose school was located near the courthouse bomb site. Another resident said, "People are on pins and needles, watch and wondering, 'Where is he going to strike next?' "

As the investigation progressed, the Vallejo Police Department made efforts to heighten security in the city. Patrols were increased and detectives went out undercover.

The rash of terrorism ended on February 2 when law enforcement officials arrested six suspects and recovered at least 560 pounds of explosives. Following the arrest, several search warrants were issued in and around Vallejo. Residents in one neighborhood were evacuated at 2:30 a.m. after ATF agents found 60 sticks of dynamite inside a 1981 Pontiac Grand LeMans.

Residents in another section of Vallejo were evacuated for several hours beginning at 4:00 a.m. when six cases of dynamite were found in the garage of a residence belonging to a relative of one of the suspects. "It's kind of scary because they woke us up at 4:15 in the morning and told us to evacuate," said one the evacuees. "It was nerve-wracking." Another resident lamented, "What it really made me think about is what it would be like if you just lost everything if it did blow up. I'm glad I got out of here without anything happening!"

The amount of dynamite recovered was enough to completely destroy a building. Investigators reported that the suspects were in the process of constructing a bomb that would be contained in a vehicle, then transported and detonated.

Although police declined to comment pending the final outcome of the investigation, early newspaper reports indicated that the suspects, although organized, did not appear to be a part of a larger group. A source close to the initial investigation said that, based on the evidence, it appeared that the bombings were part of an attempt to stop the criminal justice system from operating in Solano County, and that the bank blast was a diversion. He believed that the evidence lab, located in the lower level of the library, was a target.

Were the incidents in Vallejo acts of terrorism? "I guess it depends on your definition of terrorism, but sure it was terrorism -- we were all terrified!" said Captain Lehman

Although the Vallejo Police Department does not do training that is specific to terrorism, they do extensive training for criminal incidents. "A bomb is a bomb and a hostage situation is a hostage situation, whether the perpetrator is a terrorist or just a bad guy. The response is the same. How could you train differently?"