An Iowa man was arrested and charged in relation to improvised bombs found at Waveland Golf Course. The discovery of one bomb on Thursday, July 10, temporarily closed the golf course as a bomb squad responded.
Michael James Valento, 41 of Des Moines, is facing five charges — including four felonies — after two pipe bomb-style improvised explosive devices were discovered at the course, according to a news release from the Des Moines Police Department.
An investigation alleges Valento detonated one of the pipe bombs at the golf course on University Avenue on July 3.
A second pipe bomb-style improvised explosive device was discovered by golfers on July 10. That one had not been detonated, the release said. The Des Moines Police Department Bomb Squad determined it to be a live device and rendered it safe.
Just after midnight on Friday, July 11, police served a search warrant at Valento’s home, about a mile away from the course. Valento was not home during the search, Parizek said, but police spotted him nearby and arrested him.
Valento is facing the following charges:
- Two counts of possession of an explosive or incendiary device with intent, a Class C felony
- Arson — 1st Degree, a Class B felony
- Arson 3rd — Degree, an aggravated misdemeanor
- Dominion or control of a firearm / offensive weapon by a domestic abuse offender, a Class D felony
The bomb found on July 10 was in an area that golfers would not normally walk or drive past. It took police about an hour to render the device safe.
Valento is being held in Polk County Jail, according to the news release.
