This week on Weird and Wacky Wednesdays, we’re talking about bombs. More specifically, people getting arrested for bomb-related crimes. If you search “bomb” and “arrest,” you’ll find plenty of cases of people making threats, building explosives, or actually using them. It’s reckless, dangerous, and always lands someone in handcuffs. Somehow everyone seems to get caught. Here are three cases that prove just how seriously the courts take this kind of stupidity.
When Blowing Up a Mailbox Blows Up in Your Face
First, we have a man from Sperry, Oklahoma, who thought it would be fun to blow up a mailbox. The problem? That’s a federal crime. He rigged an explosive inside, set it off, and was promptly arrested. The result? Nine years in federal prison. Not exactly worth it for a quick thrill. Apparently he was attempting to blow up the mailbox belonging to his wife and blew up the wrong mailbox. Not the brightest bulb. Destroying a mailbox with a bomb is considered an attack on federal property, which comes with heavy penalties.
Berg, S. (2025, February 26). Sperry Man gets 9 years in federal prison for blowing up Mailbox. https://www.krmg.com/news/local/sperry-man-gets-9-years-federal-prison-blowing-up-mailbox/EJDCGGOGGFHKLHIVTN6ANAYZBY/
Homemade Explosive? More Like Homemade Disaster
Next, in Virginia, police responded to a home after someone reported a suspicious device. Inside, officers found a homemade bomb. That led to an immediate arrest and, of course, criminal charges. Authorities take this stuff seriously. Even if a device isn’t used, just having one is enough to land you behind bars. Homemade explosives don’t just put the creator at risk—they put entire communities in danger.
Dillon, K. (2025, February 25). Man arrested after homemade bomb found in residence. https://www.wdbj7.com/2025/02/25/man-arrested-after-homemade-bomb-found-residence/
Turns Out, ‘Hide and Seek’ Isn’t a Game You Win Against the Law
Finally, there’s a case from California that took four decades to close. In 1982, a man set off a bombing that killed one person and injured dozens. Then, he vanished. For 40 years, he was on the run, changing his name and living under the radar. But justice caught up with him. Authorities tracked him down and arrested him, proving that even after decades, some crimes don’t just go away. Apparently if you build or use a bomb, you can expect the law to follow you for life.
Vasquez, I. (2025, February 27). 1982 bombing suspect arrested after 40+ years on the run. https://people.com/1982-bombing-suspect-arrested-after-40-years-on-the-run-11687380
Bomb-related crimes lead to serious consequences. Whether it’s a reckless prank, a dangerous stockpile, or a crime decades in the making, it seems the result is always the same—an arrest, charges, and often a long prison sentence. There are some crimes that courts refuse to take lightly, and this is definitely one of them.
That’s it for this week’s Weird and Wacky Wednesdays. Tune in next time for more bizarre legal stories.
