DES MOINES – Cops say this Iowa man put a bomb in his former roommate’s car and caused a violent explosion, but the suspect says he is innocent.
Police is Des Moines say that “investigative teamwork, for over 16 hours straight, has resulted in an arrest connected to the detonation of a dangerous homemade explosive device.
Technicians with the DMPD Bomb Squad and DMPD Arson Investigators partnered with agents from the ATF after an explosion severely damaged a vehicle in the 1200 blk of Hartford Avenue yesterday. Fortunately, people nearby were not injured. Investigators worked through the day and night, examining debris evidence, conducting interviews, suspect surveillance and a search warrant.”
The investigation led to the arrest of a suspect, 33-year-old Daniel Hellmers (pictured at top) with multiple felony crimes, including:
– F FELB 712.2 ARSON 1ST DEGREE
– F FELC 712.6(1) POSSESSION OF INCENDIARY OR EXPLOSIVE DEVICE W/ INTENT
– F FELB 124.401(1)(b)(7) CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE VIOLATION
– F FELD 453B.12 FAILURE TO AFFIX DRUG STAMP
– F FELD 724.26(1) DOMINION/CONTROL OF FIREARM/OFFENSIVE WEAPON BY FELON
– F FELC 706.3(1) CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT FORCIBLE FELONY
Cops reported that the bomb was put in Hellmers’ former roommate’s car.
Hellmers, who appears to have a lengthy criminal past, remains in the Polk county jail awaiting a possible jury trial set for January 6, 2025.