FBI force probing recent firebombings

FBI force probing recent firebombings


By: Penne Usher, Journal Staff Writer
Sunday, January 23, 2005 3:42 AM PST



The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Joint Terrorism Task Force is called upon to investigate acts of terrorism such as the recent firebomb plantings in Auburn.

"Anything related to terrorism we have jurisdiction," said Glenn Norling, the taskforce coordinator for the FBI's Sacramento office.

He defined terrorism as acts designed to influence politics or the government. The taskforce works in two areas, domestic and international terrorism.

The recent firebomb plantings in Auburn and Lincoln, for which the Earth Liberation Front has claimed responsibility, fall into the category of domestic terrorism. The taskforce is actively investigating both incidents and has been acting on tips.

"We have received some phone calls and are going to pursue those to determine if there is any credible information," Karen Ernst, FBI spokeswoman, said Friday. "Tips are always useful in identifying individuals responsible for such acts."

The Joint Terrorism Task Force has in the past received tips that have successfully prevented future acts from occurring, she said.


Some people in the Auburn area said they believed it was a good idea to have law enforcement at the federal level involved in looking for those who planted the firebombs in the Park Hill office building last week.

"People may not think it's really terrorism, because no one has been killed - yet," said Hal Francis, of Penryn. "There is the potential for loss of life and having the FBI involved makes sense. Planting bombs of any kind is an act of terrorism."

In 1980 the first taskforce was formed in New York City. There are now 100 taskforces throughout the country comprised of law enforcement personnel from the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms and local, state and federal agencies. In Sacramento, the taskforce includes the California Highway Patrol and the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.Helping Out

The FBI is asking for the public's assistance with finding those responsible for the recent planting of numerous firebombs in Auburn and Lincoln. Confidential information can be provided to the FBI by calling (916) 481-9110.


Norling said shortly after the Sacramento taskforce was formed the group investigated one of its most interesting cases.

"In 1998 the first big case was the Elk Grove propane tanks, what we called "Twin Sisters," Norling said. "Some folks loosely associated to a militia group attempted to blow up two 12-million-gallon propane tanks in Elk Grove."

He said three people conspired together to obtain weapons illegally to blow up the tanks in an effort to create governmental unrest.

After a yearlong investigation into the plot against Suburban Propane, which authorities believe was designed to exploit Y2K fears among the nation's hate groups, two men were arrested without incident.

Another significant case involving the taskforce was a plot by a man to burn down a superior courthouse in Oroville.

"We arrested him in the act of carrying stuff to burn down the building," Norling said.

As for the firebombs in Placer County, the taskforce is working with the Placer County Sheriff's department and Auburn Police.

"We don't actually take over control," he said. "Our forte is the investigation."

Auburn's Chief of Police, Nick Willick said the department would work in conjunction with the FBI on several types of cases.

"Anything like ELF all the way to left and right-wing special-interest groups, those investigation and the tracking of them are handled by the federal taskforce," Willick said.

If the FBI is able to make an arrest in the Auburn and Lincoln firebombing cases, those responsible could face several federal charges from creating a device to burn down a building to attempted arson. Both of which could lead to substantial prison terms upon conviction.

Anyone with information on either firebomb incident is urged to contact the FBI at (916) 481-9110.

The Journal's Penne Usher can be reached at penneu [at] goldcountrymedia.com.