Jamia Howell, Commerce, Texas woman admits testing homemade bombs after 9 molotov cocktails found in her backpack following spate of fires in the town recently.
A North Texas woman was arrested over the weekend after police found nine homemade bombs in her backpack, following a string of mysterious fires springing up in Commerce.
Jamia Howell, 26, is accused of causing the fires after investigators saying she caused the blazes after ‘testing’ the molotov cocktails found on her person. The woman’s arrest comes amid multiple fires across the small city since February 20.
A Commerce police officer spotted a fire at Centennial Park Saturday night and noticed a woman leaving the area. Officers detained Howell and discovered the cache of Molotov cocktails, along with a lighter and bomb-making materials in a backpack she was carrying.
During questioning, Howell admitted to ‘testing’ the devices around the city the Dallas Express reported.
Following her arrest, Howell was booked on charges of arson and possession of a prohibited weapon, with additional charges possible.
The explosive devices, commonly called Molotov cocktails, consist of glass bottles filled with flammable liquid and cloth wicks. When thrown, the bottles shatter on impact and ignite.
Commerce, located about 70 miles northeast of Dallas, had experienced 36 hours of unexplained fires before Saturday’s arrest. Police continue investigating the extent of Howell’s alleged activities
Officials have yet to say whether Howell was affiliated with any political or domestic terrorist group or what may have compelled her to be ‘testing’ the homemade bombs.
