Police: Bottle Bomb Found in Teen Burglar's Backpack

Police have charged two teens with burglary and manufacturing an explosive device after a homeowner reported a burglary in progress on Crest Maple Drive on March 21, Prince William County Police spokesperson Jonathan Perok said. 

Police initially responded to the residence at 9:38 a.m. that same day. The homeowner told police that she heard loud noises on a lower floor of the house. 

"Upon checking out the noise, she observed two unknown males, believed to be juveniles, attempting to break into the residence. Once confronted by the homeowner, the males fled on foot," Perok said.

No one got into the house, and nothing was stolen. When police arrived, they found two male teens and determined they had been involved.

"Officers searched a backpack of one of the suspects and located several tools used to break into homes. Officers also located a plastic water bottle filled with an unknown substance," Perok said. "The property was brought back to the Eastern District Police Station in Woodbridge where the bottle was determined to be filled with a liquid believed to be gasoline and other materials intended to be used as an incendiary device."

The Fire Marshal's Office, Hazmat crews, and the Virginia State Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit assisted with making sure the bottle was safe. 

While investigating the burglary, Property Crimes Unit detectives found that the two teens had reportedly broken into a house on Burning Ridge Court after leaving the original house. 

"The suspects broke out a rear window and made entry into the unoccupied residence," Perok said. "The males then fled the residence after hearing police responding to the area. No property was taken from that residence."

A 15-year-old male and 16-year-old male, both of Woodbridge, were arrested after the investigation, and their houses were searched. No other bottle bombs were found.

They were both charged with burglary, attempted burglary, possession of burglarious tools, and manufacturing an explosive device. Their court date is unavailable, and both are being held at the PWC Juvenile Detention Center.