A traffic stop by an Altoona Police officer led to the discovery of a metal pipe bomb.
Altoona Officer Dustin Harris stopped a car that 24-year-old Christopher Michael Fiaccato of Walnut Grove was a passenger in near the intersection of Murphree Valley Road and Gadsden Blountsville Road. There were active warrants out for Fiaccato, according to police.
The registered owner, and driver, of the vehicle gave law enforcement officers permission to search the vehicle. It was at that time the metal ‘pipe bomb’ explosive device was discovered. Fiaccato admitted to making the explosive.
“Christopher Michael Fiaccato, 24, of Walnut Grove, was arrested and charged with one count of possession/manufacturing of a destructive device, a felony,” Lieutenant Robin Grant said. Jail records also show Fiaccato is charged with Criminal Possession of Explosives and Reckless Driving.
He is currently being detained in the Etowah County Detention Center on $5,000 bond for the destructive device warrant.
Agencies that assisted include: Altoona Police Department, Altoona Fire Department, Etowah County Sheriff’s Office, Walnut Grove Fire Department, Gadsden Bomb Squad, State Fire Marshal Ray Cumby and ALEA EOD Officer Jonathan Gregg.
