Authorities in San Jose Wednesday provided an update on a man suspected of possessing explosive materials that he allegedly used to damage PG&E transformers in January and December.
The suspect, 36-year-old Peter Karasev, has been charged with nine felonies, including crimes linked to endangering his neighbors, the community and his own children, police said last week.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and FBI investigators joined San Jose police during a news conference Wednesday where they shared video connected to the suspect.
It shows Karasev riding a bicycle up to a PG&E transformer on Snell Avenue, then setting down what they say was some kind of explosive device.
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“That’s him riding away on his bicycle after igniting the device … and there you see it start to go up in flames,” said Paul Joseph, San Jose Police Department assistant chief.
The video helped lead to Karasev’s arrest and a four-day search of his home in the 600 block of Potomac Court, near Gunderson High School.
“During the investigation, various items were seized, including a homemade liquid explosive, multiple energetic homemade destructive devices, and multiple suspected destructive devices,” said Joseph.
Other types of explosive material and firearms were also seized.
But police acknowledge they still have not determined a motive for what they say are two bombings linked to this suspect -- the one reported on Jan. 5 on Snell Avenue and another on Dec. 8 on Thornwood Drive.
“Obviously these were both PG&E transformer boxes. They’re in relatively close proximity to each other, relatively close proximity to his home, and I don’t know if that was out of convenience or some other plan in his mind,” said Joseph.
Karasev’s next door neighbor was stunned, but not entirely surprised.
“I always had an uneasy feeling about him. Just always. Because that was a beautiful home and he came in there and, well you can see the condition that it’s in, and once he started tearing it up, and the backyard, he drained the pool, it was just crazy,” said Luis Marengo.
Just how strange or dangerous Karasev may be is still a bit of a mystery but might be answered as his court case proceeds.
For now, his wife has been cleared of any criminal conduct and has custody of the children, but they won’t get a chance to go back home.
