Crime and Courts

Man wanted for pipe bomb attack in VA captured in Cascade County

Posted: Nov 1, 2012 12:47 PM by MTN News
Updated: Nov 1, 2012 7:12 PM

BELT - Law enforcement officials from several agencies have apprehended a man east of Great Falls near Belt who reportedly was armed with pipe bombs or some type of explosive device.

The person taken into custody has been identified as Laurence Alan Stewart II, who is wanted for two counts of attempted capital murder, two counts of burning or destroying a dwelling and two counts of manufacturing an explosive device. All of those charges are in connection with a pipe bomb incident on October 30 in Stafford County, Virginia.

Stewart was also wanted in Virginia for indecent exposure, obscene sexual display and violation of a protective order.

He reportedly detonated pipe bombs at the homes of his ex-girlfriend and two officers who were investigating the indecent exposure charge against him.

Agencies involved in Thursday's pursuit and capture near Belt include the Cascade County Sheriff's Office, the Montana Highway Patrol and US Marshals, among others.

A helicopter from the Department of Homeland Security was also dispatched to monitor the person's movements as officials worked to take him into custody.

We received a report that some schools on the east side of Great Falls were placed in "shelter in place" mode briefly, and that the order was lifted at around noon.

We have dispatched a reporter to the scene and will update you as we learn more.