Anthony
Super Moderator
Police have arrested a Los Angeles International Airport baggage handler in connection with two dry ice explosions that prompted emergency responses at LAX, one of the nation's busiest airports. No one was injured in either incident.
Dicarlo Bennett, 28, from Paramount, Calif., was arrested Tuesday night at his apartment on suspicion of exploding a destructive device near an aircraft.
Police say Bennett's motives are unclear.
Authorities said the suspect allegedly took the dry ice from a plane.
The first explosion happened Sunday in an employee bathroom. The second explosion occurred Monday night by the tarmac. Police disabled a third bomb before it was detonated.
"This guy was playing around. It was kind of a game to him. He thought it was funny. He had no intent to attack innocent victims. There was no political motive or agenda," Los Angeles police Deputy Chief Michael Downing said.
"But I think he was surprised because now he is in jail on a million dollars bail. But this is serious. And when you place a destructive device near an airplane, it bumps up the seriousness," said Downing.
"There was nothing to worry about in terms of safety at LAX. This was not a criminal enterprise. He thought it was a funny kind of joke. But we take it seriously. He was surprised when he got arrested," Downing said. "I think he was kind of proud, thought it was funny."
Bennett, an employee of Servisair, a global provider of aviation ground services.
A spokesperson for the company released a statement; "We are aware of the arrest of Dicarlo Bennett as a suspect in the recent incidents at LAX," the company said in a prepared statement. "We're cooperating with authorities and will continue to monitor the situation closely. It is important at this early stage to allow law enforcement to continue their investigation, and we do not have any further comment at this time."
It's unclear whether Bennett has entered a plea. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail and faces a charge of possession of an explosive or destructive device near an aircraft.
