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Suspect In Borders Book Store Bombing In Custody

LAKEWOOD, Colo. (CBS4/AP) - Police in Lakewood say a man suspected of leaving two explosive devices in a bookstore is in custody.

Chief Kevin Paletta said Tuesday that David Joseph Lawless, 30, seems to have acted alone and doesn't appear to be connected with any terrorist group.

The devices were found inside a Borders Book Store at Colorado Mills Mall in Lakewood, where police responded early Saturday to a report of a break-in. The Jefferson County Bomb Squad detonated the two devices, causing minimal damage to the store but no injuries.

Lawless is also accused of causing damage to windows at a nearby Best Buy store. He was arrested in Clear Creek County after an accident involving alcohol and allegedly threatening an officer with a pair of scissors. Surveillance video at the Best Buy was instrumental in identifying Lawless.

"The key was getting the images and the information from the images in the hands of law enforcement personnel so they could see if there was anybody in their jurisdiction," Paletta said.

Lawless has a prior conviction after being arrested in Glendale for setting off a dry ice bomb at a strip club in 2005. He also has two DUIs.

"He let us search the car. We found some more dry ice and some more bottles and he did admit he was going to detonate two more devices," Glendale Police Chief Victor Ross said. "He's getting bigger and better at what he's doing. Obviously he's still fascinated with blowing things up, obviously took it to the next level."

(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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