NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT NEWS

From the ERRI Watch Center

WEST BLOCTON, ALABAMA (EmergencyNet News) - It what law enforcement officials say was an attempt to lure them into a trap, a gunman wearing camouflage clothing and a gas mask opened fire on an armored car outside a bank on Thursday and then fled into woods booby trapped with pipe bombs. It was the fourth such incident in the area in six years.

No serious injuries were reported and no money was taken as the gunman fired rounds at the bulletproof glass of the Loomis-Fargo security vehicle. No arrests were made. Authorities said the gunfire was an apparent attempt to draw police officers or pursuers into the woods.

Police Chief Jim Carroll said, "They had the woods booby trapped with pipe bombs. ... He had a path, and if you ran in there and tripped those wires."

Officers withdrew from the woods when they saw a device that looked like an explosive, calling in state and federal bomb experts and investigators. Four pipe bombs were found. Later in the afternoon, the bomb squad detonated one of the devices.

Authorities said the attack outside the First State Bank of Bibb County was similar to previous attacks on armored cars in this city about 35 miles southwest of Birmingham. Carroll said he assumes the attacks, none of which resulted in any loss of money, are connected. He said, "It's like it happens every two years."

  EmergencyNet News Editorial Note:  This is not the first such robbery of an armored car involving the possible involvement of domestic extremists, but it would appear to be a dangerous tactical extension of these past acts. Increasingly, we are seeing more sophisticated ambush and attack techniques, designed to injure or kill Law enforcement/ emergency service responders. It is respectfully suggested that this information be included in in-service training or other officer safety programs.

(c)Copyright, EmergencyNet News, 1998. All rights reserved. May be redistributed without prior permission to bona-fide military and law enforcement agencies and personnel.