Police detain teenager in Dexter bombing

~ From staff and wire reports

An explosion by an improvised bomb has led to the detention of a 15-year-old Dexter boy, police said Friday.

The investigation began Wednesday when Dexter police received a call concerning an explosion at 202 E. Vine St., said Dexter police chief Paul Haubold.

After arriving at the scene, officers found the blast came from an improvised explosive device. Though no one was injured, the residence's front door had been badly damaged and the glass was shattered.

Haubold said that within 12 hours of the incident, the department had applied for a warrant to search the suspect's house. Police found another improvised explosive device, along with a list of names including three Dexter school teachers and another individual. Police also recovered an envelope that contained a threat.

Haubold said the boy was taken into custody and turned over to juvenile authorities. There are no other suspects at this time. Haubold said Dexter police have dealt with the 15-year-old before. Roughly six months ago, the boy was taken in because of a "terrorist threat," Haubold said, and has been attending alternative school since then.

"Because he is a juvenile there are a lot of things that we can't say right now," Haubold said. "But, if it's determined that the individual will be certified and charged as an adult then we can give more details."

According to police, the juvenile had learned to make the explosive devices by downloading a copy of "The Anarchist's Cookbook" from the Internet.

Haubold said Judge Robert Barney and his wife, Janice, who live at the residence on Vine Street, were surprised that everything had been taken care of within less than 24 hours. Barney is an appellate judge in the western district of Missouri.

"I would say that I am just blessed to have such sharp, intelligent officers," Haubold remarked. "This city is blessed to have a department that has officers, even though they're young, that are dedicated to making a difference."

Haubold also credited the hard work of the department's detective Trevor Pulley, a former Cape Girardeau police detective.

"To get someone in our department with his experience and his training with no more than what we can afford to pay is just great," Haubold remarked. "You get in this business to make a difference."

Jonathon Dawe of the Dexter Daily Statesman and Linda Redeffer of the Southeast Missourian contributed to this report.