DES MOINES, IA - Hours of drama ended Monday night with the bomb squad detonating a possible explosive device in a controlled way in a south Des Moines neighborhood.
The events unfolded after report of a credit union holdup at the Tradesman Credit Union at 2930 SE 14th was held up at 4:12pm. Police chased the suspect, who jumped out of a car a few blocks later and took off on foot. Police arrested the man, 51-year-old Christopher Leon Weckman of Des Moines. He was captured in the 600 block of Philip Street.
Police say Weckman threatened he had a bomb.
The Des Moines Police Department Bomb Squad cordoned off a perimeter as they examined the apparent explosive device at the scene. X-ray technology, as well as visual examination, were not able to determine if the device was a legitimate explosive, or a hoax device. Shortly after 8:00 p.m., technicians conducted a controlled detonation of the device. Once disabled, the device was taken as evidence for further forensic examination.
Weckman is currently being held in the Polk Co. Jail on a Parole Violation and a charge or Interference With Official Acts. Additional charges related to the bank robbery investigation are expected. A second person detained during this investigation, an adult female, has not yet been charged.
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