2 charged with making pipe bombs after blast injures man in Claresholm

Two southern Alberta men are facing charges for allegedly making pipe bombs, one of which appears to have blown up in a garage on the weekend, seriously injuring another man.

Claresholm RCMP said officers responded Saturday night to a home in the community after witnesses heard a loud bang inside a garage and noticed two people carrying out an injured person and driving away.

At the hospital, officers discovered a man with serious injuries had been dropped off. Officers circled back to the garage, where they found two men inside, ages 27 and 40. Both are residents of Claresholm, a town roughly 110 kilometres southeast of Calgary.

The next day, investigators returned to the garage with a search warrant and found ammunition cut up with the gunpowder removed, pieces of pipe, fireworks and an explosive fuse. Officers arrested two men, who now face several charges.

The 27-year-old is charged with using explosives with intent, mischief under $5,000and failing to comply with a release order.

The 40-year-old is charged with making an explosive substance, mischief under $5,000, causing an explosion, possession of break-in toolsand possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

According to RCMP officials, both men are also suspected of using pipe bombs to blow up garbage containers at a public park and a compost site in Claresholm earlier this month.

Both men have been released from custody, officials say, notingthey are slated to appear in court next week.