Two Suspects Charged in Making a Destructive Device
Lakeland PD Release:
On November 28, 2017, around 10:00 p.m., Brian Wilson, 20 years of age, and Michael Stein, 20 years of age, did willfully and unlawfully make, possess, and place a destructive device. The device that the defendant made is known as, “The Works Bomb”. The mixture of a chemical and aluminum foil reacts and causes the gas to expand which ultimately ends up causing the bottle to explode.
The above two subjects made two of these destructive devices in the parking lot of the Common Ground Park located at 1000 E. Edgewood Drive in Lakeland, Florida. The subjects after making the destructive devices placed them in the parking lot. According to subjects during the interview the destructive devices did not explode. The subjects made the destructive device after 9:00 p.m. and no children were present.
Both subjects then made one more destructive device in the area of Lake Hollingsworth Drive and Hollingsworth Oak Drive. This destructive device was placed by Brian Wilson in-between the pathway and the water’s edge in a grassy area. The destructive device was made after 10:00 p.m.
All three destructive devices were recovered by the Lakeland Police Department on November 29, 2017. On December 4, 2017, Michael Stein was interviewed with his attorney present, and he admitted to being the one responsible for the idea, the making, and the placing of these destructive devices. Stein stated his intentions was never to try and harm anyone, but this was something he had done as a younger person and he was trying to show his friends what this could do. Wilson was also interviewed and admitted to his involvement.
Both of the subjects actions are a violation of Florida State Statue 790.161(1). A person who willfully and unlawfully makes, possesses, throws, projects, places, discharges, or attempts to make, possess, throw, project, place, or discharges and destructive device commits a felony of the third degree.
Both subjects had no intent to harm anyone by making this device. A complaint affidavit was sent to the State Attorney’s Office charging:
Michael Robert Stein, 20 years old, Lakeland, Florida – Charged with 3 cts of Making a Destructive Device, F3.
Brian Edward Wilson, 20 years old, Lakeland, Florida – Charged with 1 ct of Making a Destructive Device, F3.
No Photos Available at this time.
Original Release:
