Navy Man Arrested in Car Bombing Plot
A 23-year-old Navy man was arrested Saturday and charged with attempted murder for allegedly planting a bomb in his commanding officer’s automobile.
A Navy spokesman said Radio Seaman Wendel D. Milton was being held in the brig at Terminal Island for allegedly planting a bomb in the car of Capt. Kenneth R. Barry, commander of the amphibious helicopter landing ship Peleliu, which is anchored at Terminal Island.
The spokesman, Senior Chief John E. Chadwell, said Milton is a Peleliu crewman, but he said no information is available on a possible motive for the bombing attempt. He added that the investigation is continuing.
Barry discovered the bomb shortly after 5 a.m. Friday when he went to his car, which was parked in the garage of his Long Beach condominium. Police evacuated about 50 residents of the luxury building while the bomb was deactivated.
Chadwell said it was unclear whether Milton would be tried by civilian or military authorities, or whether he is alleged to have acted alone or with accomplices.
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