Sources: Suspect Admits Pipe-Bomb Attacks

May 8, 2002 -- The 21-year-old suspect in a string of mailbox pipe-bomb attacks has admitted responsibility, law enforcement sources said today.

In a tense cell-phone conversation during the high-speed car chase that led to his arrest Tuesday evening, Luke John Helder told of his alleged five-state spree, and did so again during interviews with police after his arrest, the sources said.

FBI sources said Helder admitted making 24 pipe bombs and used a map to show authorities where he planted some of them — 18 in five states. Six more devices were recovered from his car.

Helder was denied bail at a federal court hearing today in Reno, Nev., after a judge decided that he was a flight risk. He will be sent back to Iowa, where one of the devices exploded and injured an elderly woman, to face more charges. Helder is facing charges in at least three of the states where he allegedly planted the devices — charges that could carry life in prison.

Several Charges to Come

A total of six people were injured in Iowa and Illinois, and devices were also left in Nebraska, Texas and Colorado.

According to the complaint filed today in federal court in Iowa, a letter sent by Helder to his father contained the phrase "Mailboxes are exploding" — the same chilling words officials say were found on letters left with the bombs, which were planted in rural mailboxes.

"This was an incident of national concern which received a national response," U.S. Attorney Charles W. Larson of the Northern District of Iowa said in a statement Tuesday night. "The involvement of the public and hundreds of law enforcement agents led to the successful arrest this evening."

In a note recovered by investigators, Helder references President Bush, sources said. The note was considered non-threatening but was passed on to the Secret Service, which is checking to see if the suspect ever threatened the White House.

Helder, of Pine Island, Minn., was charged in Iowa with using an explosive to maliciously destroy property affecting interstate commerce, and with using a destructive device to commit a crime of violence. Charges have also been filed in Illinois and Nebraska. The Iowa charges alone carry penalties of up to life in prison and fines of $250,000.

Learn more about Luke John Helder

High-Speed Chase

Helder led authorities on a high-speed chase through the Nevada desert Tuesday, driving at speeds of up to 100 mph while talking to an FBI hostage negotiator on his cell phone. Helder had called his parents during the chase, but they patched the call through to the FBI.

Authorities said they detonated two of the six devices found in Helder's car. Officials say they believe all the devices have been recovered, but urged people to remain cautious. A possible copycat device was discovered today in Hagerstown, Ind., but it may not have been active.

Nevada authorities said Helder was finally pulled over by Nevada state troopers on Interstate I-80 east of Lovelock. He was driving his 1992 Honda with Minnesota license plate EZL 873 — the same car FBI officials earlier Tuesday said he was driving — and called the sheriff's department.

Helder had a gun to his head, threatening to kill himself, but hostage negotiators persuaded him to surrender peacefully, and he dropped the gun out the car window.

When he was led into the Washoe County Hall in Reno, Nev., Helder, a student at the University of Wisconsin-Stout and a musician in a band called Apathy, was wearing a black Kurt Cobain T-shirt, and his hair was longer than in the photo released by the FBI on Tuesday.

Unusual Behavior Over the Weekend

According to the complaint filed in Iowa, Helder had been stopped several times for traffic infractions since the attacks began last Friday — and police noticed some unusual behavior.

Just after midnight on Saturday, Helder was stopped for speeding in Nebraska — where pipe bombs were found later in the day.

"When the law enforcement officer approached Helder, Helder stated 'I didn't mean to hurt anybody' or words to that effect," the complaint said.

He was stopped that afternoon in Oklahoma for not wearing a seat belt, and cited for driving with an expired license. On Sunday afternoon, he was stopped for speeding in Fowler, Colo.

"The trooper advised the driver appeared to be very nervous and had very watery eyes like he was going to cry," the complaint said.

‘Please Don’t Hurt Anyone Else’

Helder's arrest Tuesday came eight hours after the FBI issued an all-points bulletin for him and publicly urged him to turn himself in.

Helder's father, Cameron, echoed the FBI's plea, and asked for understanding of his son in an emotional statement from his Minnesota home.

"I really want you to know that Luke is not dangerous," Cameron Helder said. "I think he is only trying to make a statement on how the government is being run. He has ideas and no one was listening to him.

"Luke, you need to talk to someone," he said, his lower lip quivering as he held back tears. "You need to call … you've got the attention you wanted. We want you home safe. Please don't hurt anyone else."

Officials later said Helder's father told them his son's roommate had called and told him about possible bomb-making materials found under his bed. Cameron Helder had also received a letter from Luke, which said, "Mailboxes are exploding" — a phrase used in anti-government notes that were attached to the pipe bombs.

Jeremy Johnson, who shared a college locker with Helder, said today on ABCNEWS' Good Morning America that he was taken by surprise by the news that the friendly young man he knew was a suspect in the bombing spree.

"He was really quiet," Johnson said. "He never really was outspoken. He was very friendly to everybody and polite. He never vented any anger, so you never expected this out of him."

Tipped Off by Roommate

Helder, an art student, was studying industrial design. Investigators learned about Helder when one of his roommates contacted investigators and told them there was black powder residue and pieces of pipe in the off-campus apartment.

Officials at the school said that Helder had not been seen on campus for a week. Investigators then contacted Helder's parents, who told them that he had made some anti-government statements.

Friends of Helder said he did not seem like the type of person who would try to kill to make a statement.

"I was just very shocked and surprised," said Rick Read, a friend of Helder. "He was a great friend."

ABCNEWS' David Wright, Pierre Thomas, Ariane DeVogue and ABCNEWS.com's Oliver Libaw and Bryan Robinson contributed to this report.