Features

Homemade bomb blows off San Leandro man’s hand

The Associated Press
Tuesday August 13, 2002

SAN LEANDRO – Police reported today that a man's hand was blown off and his body was lacerated with shrapnel on Sunday night after a bomb he was apparently trying to build exploded in his face. 

The man, identified by authorities as Robert Chandler, 34, was making the bomb out of fuses, gun powder and a CO2 cartridge like those used in B.B. guns. Police do not yet know what he planned to do with the explosive device. 

“He's saying that he found the cartridges and was trying to dismantle the device but the evidence we found at the scene is contrary to what he says,” Lt. Steve Pricco said, alluding to additional bomb supplies -- including four empty cartridges, explosive powder and fuses -- that police later found. 

“We have no indication that he was going to use this for a specific target,” said Pricco, though police found camping equipment in his car. “We are kind of theorizing that he was going camping and he was making these things ... for kicks.” 

Police were first alerted to the incident at an apartment building at 77 Estabrook St. in San Leandro after neighbors reported hearing a gun shot around 11:20 p.m. on Sunday.