Police attempt to identify hand grenade suspect

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) - Police in Bridgeport are seeking the public's help in identifying an individual who delivered a hand grenade to the Margaret E. Morton Government Center last month.

According to police, on February 27th a man delivered a hand grenade concealed in a coffee cup to the police Internal Affairs Office, located at 999 Broad St.

Police said the suspect handed the cup to a witness on the sidewalk near the State St. entrance. The witness then delivered the cup to the Internal Affairs Office for the suspect as requested.

The State Police Bomb Squad recovered the grenade and destroyed it. Preliminary tests showed that it was filled with a low-grade explosive powder, which they believe to be smokeless gunpowder.

Police said the grenade was most likely purchased as a souvenir.

According to a bomb technician, the grenade could not have detonated due to its poor construction.

However, police believe the suspect did intend to use the grenade as an explosive device.

The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 35 years old, 6' tall, medium build, with scruffy hair. He was wearing a waist-length coat with a belt and a light-colored hat at the time of the incident.

Police said the suspect was driving a 2003-2009 black Toyota 4-Runner with tinted windows, 5-point rims, a roof rack, chrome door handles, and rain guards over the driver's and passenger's windows. The vehicle had a CT plate on the rear, but no plate on the front.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Hoben at (203) 581-5247.