Two more suspects where charged today in connection with a series of booby trapping incidents over the past few months that have targeted police in Hemet, California.
Nicholas Smit and Steven Hansen were each charged with three felony counts, including conspiracy to commit murder, John Asbury of the Press-Enterprise reports.
As TPMmuckraker reported, the Hemet police department has been the target of a series of booby traps, “including the rerouting of a gas line into a police compound, and a fire set to four city-owned trucks.” In May, police charged one man in connection with the attacks.
Smit is charged with attempting to kill an officer who arrested him in July 2009, which led to Smit pleading guilty to five counts of felony marijuana possession. The officer was allegedly targeted several times in between Smit’s arrest and plea. Hansen, a convicted arsonist, is suspected of involvement with a number of possible arson incidents targeting the Hemet police department.
According to the Press-Enterprise, “Hemet police said they’re still looking for at least two additional suspects.”
If convicted, Hansen faces up to 30 years in prison, while Smit faces multiple life sentences.
Jillian Rayfield
Jillian Rayfield is a Reporter/Blogger for TPM, and started as a News Intern in May 2009. She graduated from Cornell University in May 2008 with a degree in Film, and worked as a Research Assistant for a market research firm in London in between.
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