‘Rainbow Man’ Named in O.C. Stink-Bomb Warrant

A man recognized nationally for his multicolored wig and his antics and banners at televised sporting events, was named in an arrest warrant issued Tuesday as the suspect in a series of stink-bomb attacks in Orange County.

Police said Rollen Fredrick Stewart, 46, of Downey, known as the “Rainbow Man,” is suspected of setting off foul-smelling bombs at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, at a Christian bookstore in that city, at the Trinity Broadcasting Network studios in Tustin and in the lobby of the Orange County Register newspaper in Santa Ana.

Similar devices were placed at the Tetelstai Christian Center in Torrance and the Los Angeles Times office in Los Angeles. But two men were arrested in April in connection with those bombs, which are not linked to Stewart.

A warrant setting bail at $100,000 charges Stewart with four felony counts of placing explosive devices in public places. Stewart, who remains at large, may have recently purchased a handgun and should be considered armed and dangerous, Santa Ana Police Lt. Robert Helton said.

Police said Stewart is a self-proclaimed “televangelist” who places signs reading John 3:16 at much-publicized sports events around the country. Chapter 3, Verse 16 of the Gospel of John reads: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son. . . .”

Stewart drives to almost all sports events he attends and sometimes may show up at two or even three televised events on the same day, police said.

“He claims he hates sports, but he believes more people will see his banners and signs at a sporting event than any other,” Helton said. “He has proven to be a nuisance to network television directors and producers to try to shoot around him.”

Authorities said Stewart attended the 1984 Winter Olympics in Yugoslavia and the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, and has also attended Super Bowls, the World Series, NBA playoffs, the 1984 Republican National Convention, most major PGA Golf Tournaments and a host of other sports extravaganzas.

At a football game in 1988 in which banners were prohibited, Stewart stenciled “John 3:16” on his T-shirt and stalked mini-cam units in the stands.

On April 14, Stewart was detained by authorities in Augusta, Ga., after he allegedly set off a remote-controlled electronic air horn as Jack Nicklaus was about to putt on the 16th green at the Masters Golf Tournament, police said. In his possession were a sign reading “No rapture,” a remote-controlled electronic siren and two copies of articles about the stink bomb placed at the Register, they said.

After that incident, similar electronic devices were found during the George Foreman-Evander Holyfield boxing match at the Atlantic City Convention Center in New Jersey and at a televised professional bowling tournament at the Bradley Bowl in Windsor Locks, Conn. Authorities said the electronic components of all three devices matched components of the stink bombs found in Orange County, leading police to suspect Stewart.

Stewart’s wife, Elsie Stewart of Downey, is “being cooperative with us, but obviously not cooperative enough,” Helton said. “She alerted her husband that we’re looking for him. . . . She’s obviously aware of the seriousness of the crime.”

Elsie Stewart could not be reached for comment Tuesday evening.

Police described Stewart as 6 feet, 1 inch tall, 150 pounds, bald and with brown hair and blue eyes, and said he may be wearing a beard and mustache.