Ignacio-area resident Leslie F. Brown, his brother from Bloomfield N.M., and another Bloomfield man have been arrested for possessing high powered explosives stolen in New Mexico. They are facing federal charges, including violations of explosives laws.
According to the federal arrest warrant affidavit, the explosives are owned by Cherry Engineering and were stored in Bernalillo County, N.M. Owner Chris Cherry discovered the break-in and theft on Dec. 18. He contacted the Albuquerque Police bomb squad and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATFE).
Cherry provided an inventory of the missing explosives. A Ford F-350 flatbed truck with a Titan Energy logo on the doors also was taken, along with a 300-gallon plastic water tank and a power washer.
On Dec. 20, an acquaintance of Les Brown contacted authorities through Durango attorney Amos Soignier. The acquaintance feared for personal safety and is not identified in the affidavit. The person had seen a TV news report on the theft and the offer of a $50,000 reward for information.
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