Crime & Safety
Leesburg Man Arrested In Pipe Bomb Investigation
The 20-year-old man was taken into custody Friday after an investigation involving local and federal authorities.
A 20-year-old Leesburg man was arrested Friday, Aug. 30, and charged with a Class 5 felony related to the Aug. 20 pipe bomb explosion in the River Creek community in Leesburg.
The Loudoun Fire Marshal’s Office, along with the U.S. Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrested Austin A. Callahan on a charge of: manufacture, possession or use of firebombs or explosive materials or devices.
Several residents reported a loud explosion near the 43800 block of Olympic Boulevard shortly before 10 p.m. Aug. 20. Units from the FMO and the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office located what has been described as a “blast area” on the golf course nearby along with remnants from what has been described as a pipe bomb.
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On Aug. 24, the FMO, ATF and LCSO conducted a search of a home on Sandpiper Place, also in River Creek. During the search, another explosive device was found. The search was temporarily suspended and the device was “rendered safe” around noon.
At least one resident has raised questions about the proximity of the devices to a gas line that runs through River Creek.
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Callahan was taken to the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.
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