Man arrested in connection with pipe bombs found in Anaheim

A pipe bomb explosion in Anaheim on Easter Sunday could be the handiwork of a man who police said was responsible for three other explosive devices found across the city late last year.

Donald Paul Busteed was taken into custody Monday in Fountain Valley on suspicion of possessing explosive devices as well on probation violations, according to the Anaheim Police Department.

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Busteed was previously convicted of manufacturing an explosive device and was on probation for that incident.

Anaheim police investigators had been following up on two separate pipe bombs found in the city when Sunday’s device exploded in an alley outside a closed business.

Busteed was identified as a person of interest in those incidents. Detectives are investigating his possible involvement in the latest detonation.

The first pipe bomb was found Nov. 13 outside the main exit of a Lowe’s home improvement store in the 1500 block of North Lemon Street, police said. Customers reported finding the bomb, which was not detonated.

On Dec. 11, a resident spotted another pipe bomb at the base of a utility pole in the 300 block of Claudina Street.

Weeks later on New Year’s Eve, a third bomb detonated in the 2800 block of East White Star Avenue, according to the Police Department.

Bomb squad investigators collected evidence from the third explosion, which led them to Busteed, police said.

He admitted to detonating the device and later pleaded guilty, police said. He was sentenced to serve time in County Jail and released in January.

Material collected from all three bombs has been linked to Busteed, Anaheim police said.

Detectives also said the bomb incidents are similar to the explosion that occurred during the weekend.

In that explosion, the device was found about 1:50 p.m. at the base of a utility police in the 600 block of North Anaheim Boulevard, police Sgt. Daron Wyatt said.

The blast caused minor damage to a nearby concrete wall and the utility pole.

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