During the evening hours of Tuesday, May 7, Cottonwood police, with the assistance of Arizona Department of Public Safety Bomb Squad and HAZMAT Team, served a search warrant at John Richard Wiles’ apartment located in the 700 block of E. Mingus Ave.
John Richard Wiles 60, was arrested and charged with manufacturing a prohibited weapon, misconduct involving a simulated explosive device, possession of dangerous drugs (methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia, all felonies.
On May 7, Cottonwood police received information that Wiles was caught on a surveillance camera at his former place of employment setting off plastic bottle bombs in their parking lot.
That parking lot was processed and there were a lot of similarities to the plastic bottle bombs that Cottonwood police and fire responded to twice in late October of last year.
The location in which these plastic bottle bombs were located are also in close proximity to Wiles’ residence.
Evidence was collected from Wiles’ residence and vehicle. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was notified took custody of some of the evidence and are analyzing it. Wiles may face additional charges once the lab analysis is concluded.
Wiles was booked into the Yavapai County Detention Center in Camp Verde and is still in custody on a $6,500 bond.
