Austin police arrested a South Austin man Tuesday who is accused of repeatedly driving through neighborhoods in the early morning hours, tossing explosive devices from his car and detonating blasts powerful enough to shake homes, setting off car alarms and narrowly missing pedestrians and pets, authorities said.
Derek Austin Gillespie, 49, was charged with possession of a prohibited explosive weapon, a third-degree felony, after police say he manufactured and detonated improvised explosive devices over several months, according to police. The arrest ends an investigation that began in August.
“This investigation began with concerned community members vocalizing public safety concerns,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Alex Doran of the FBI San Antonio Field Office, who assisted APD with the case. “Through the hard work and collaboration of Austin Police and their partners, and our ability to leverage the collective investigative expertise of the Central Texas Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), we were able to identify the suspect.”
Months-long string of explosions in South, Central Austin
The investigation started after residents reported explosions near Jones Road and the Blunn Creek Greenbelt, initially described as fireworks, loud booms or shots fired, according to Gillespie’s arrest affidavit. Police later determined the blasts were not consistent with consumer fireworks and posed a risk to public safety…