Oregon bank blast kills officer, bomb expert

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By BRAD CAIN, Associated Press Writer Brad Cain, Associated Press Writer – 45 mins ago

WOODBURN, Ore. – Oregon State Police say a bomb disposal technician is the second person who has died as a result of the bomb explosion at a bank.

Police said Saturday that both the state technician and a local police officer died at the scene of the blast on Friday but they delayed announcing the second death until the man's family could be notified.

State police say the inside of the West Coast Bank branch office was extensively damaged in the agricultural town of Woodburn.

A bank official said a caller had warned employees to look for a bomb, and one employee spotted a device in the bushes outside.

The town's police was hospitalized in critical condition.

The police say they don't have any suspects.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081213/ap_on_re_us/bank_bombing

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Arrest made in Oregon bank bombing
By STEVEN DUBOIS, Associated Press Writer Steven Dubois, Associated Press Writer – 7 mins ago

PORTLAND, Ore. – An arrest has been made in the Oregon bank bombing that killed two officers and critically injured the Woodburn police chief.

Sheriff Russ Isham of Marion County declined to release the suspect's name, saying it would jeopardize the integrity of the investigation.

Officers made the arrest Sunday night in Salem, shortly after the sheriff released surveillance photos of a "person of interest."


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081215/ap_on_re_us/bank_bombing

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Ore. bomb suspect due in court; landlord 'shocked'

SALEM, Ore. – Joshua A. Turnidge's landlord calls him a hardworking man who refinished floors and did other renovations for reduced rent.

But authorities on Monday identified Turnidge as the suspect in the bombing at the West Coast Bank branch in Woodburn that killed two law enforcement officers and critically injured a third. He was waiting arraignment Tuesday morning.

Turnidge, 32, was arrested Sunday after police released surveillance photographs of a person of interest in Friday's bombing. His name was made public on Monday. Turnidge was being held on multiple charges including murder, manufacturing and possession of a dangerous device and conspiracy.

The Marion County district attorney's office hasn't discussed the possible motive or what led to officers to Turnidge, but said the arrest wasn't the direct result of a tip from the public.

Turnidge's landlord, Randy Jacobsen, said Monday that he met Turnidge about a month ago and they become friends. Jacobsen called Turnidge a "very hardworking, upstanding guy."

"We're just shocked if this ends up being true," he said.

He said Turnidge watched football every Sunday and was trying to build an alternative-fuel business.

The bomb went off after police officers arrived to check on a suspicious object and then brought it inside the bank. Investigators have said they do not know why it was taken inside.

Turnidge was arrested in Salem, about 20 miles south of Woodburn, where he has lived at various homes over the past few years.

Authorities have said they believe the bomber is skilled in welding and electronics. But they weren't saying much Monday about Turnidge. Public records show he has worked as a steelworker and no serious offenses on record in Oregon.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081216/ap_on_re_us/bank_bombing