Pipe bomb found during burglary probe

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Perry County sheriff's deputies were investigating a burglary when they found a homemade bomb.

Michael Evan Winchester, 29, of Perryville was arrested Friday and charged with second-degree burglary, misdemeanor theft and unlawful possession of a weapon.

On Nov. 25, John Melton reported two chain saws, a wooden wagon-wheel ceiling light and Tupperware bucket stolen from his house in rural Perry County, deputy Jason Klaus wrote in a probable-cause statement. Melton said the house was entered, a lock was cut off a shed, items were taken, and his basement door was kicked in and damaged.

Deputies talked to Melton's son, Jamie Brotherton, who was there four days earlier and noticed a flashlight and cigarette in the driveway and that items had been moved from the carport, Klaus wrote.

Around the carport, officers saw tampering with a light cover, and it may have been possible someone was stealing wires when he or she was interrupted, according to the statement.

On Dec. 9, deputies went to 75 Lynwood Drive in Perryville in search of Winchester, Klaus wrote. With the consent of the property owner, deputies searched several sheds and found burned electrical wires and cigarette butts that matched the brand found at the burglarized home, Klaus wrote. The property owner also recognized the flashlight found at the scene of the burglary, according to the report.

Also during the search of the sheds, deputies found in a camouflage backpack a metal pipe capped on both ends and a fuse, Klaus wrote. The pack also contained a metal canister of black powder, several small baggies of black powder and several containers of BBs. Officers did not take any of the contents of the backpack at that time, according to the statement.

Officers returned Dec. 11 but found the backpack had been removed at the request of the property owner, Klaus wrote. Officers contacted Winchester, who helped them find the pipe that the Southeast Missouri Regional Bomb Squad found and took into possession from an adjacent yard, Klaus wrote.

"Winchester said he made the device approximately one year ago," Klaus wrote. "He used a small metal pipe with two metal end caps, filled the tube with gun power and BBs, used several green fireworks wicks and used black electrical tape around the tube."

Winchester also admitted to stealing items from the rural Perry County home, according to the report.

Winchester's bond was set at $10,000 cash or surety.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address: 75 Lynwood Drive, Perryville, Mo,