Crime

US bombing suspect ‘found in Wales’ 21 years on

Published

2 months ago

November 27, 2024

ONE of America’s most wanted fugitives has been arrested in Wales, 21 years after a double bombing in San Francisco.

Daniel Andreas San Diego, 46, was detained on Monday following a joint operation involving counter-terrorism officers, North Wales Police, and Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA).

San Diego, described by the FBI as an “animal rights extremist,” was apprehended at a remote property near woodland in rural north Wales. He now faces extradition to the United States to face charges related to two bombings in California in 2003.

Fugitive for over two decades

FBI Director Christopher Wray said:”Daniel San Diego’s arrest after more than 20 years as a fugitive for two bombings in the San Francisco area shows that no matter how long it takes, the FBI will find you and hold you accountable.”

He added: “There’s a right way and a wrong way to express your views in our country, and turning to violence and destruction of property is not the right way.”

The NCA confirmed San Diego was arrested at the request of US authorities. He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Tuesday, where extradition proceedings began.

An NCA spokesperson said: “He was remanded in custody.”

First domestic terrorist on FBI’s most wanted list

San Diego, born in Berkeley, California, was the first alleged domestic terrorist added to the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list. The agency previously offered a $250,000 (£199,000) reward for information leading to his arrest.

He was wanted for allegedly bombing two office buildings in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The first bombing occurred on 28 August 2003, outside the Chiron Life Science Center in Emeryville, California. Authorities later discovered a second bomb at the scene, which detonated before it could be defused, raising concerns that it was planted to target first responders.

Less than a month later, in September 2003, a nail bomb exploded outside a nutritional products corporation in Pleasanton, California.

Long-standing charges

In July 2004, San Diego was indicted by the United States District Court in the Northern District of California for his alleged involvement in the bombings.

The case remained unsolved until this week’s arrest, ending two decades of pursuit by the FBI and law enforcement agencies across the globe.

Crime

Haverfordwest shoplifter admits theft and criminal damage

Published

1 hour ago

January 14, 2025

Sarah Jane Absalom

A 23-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire man has been sentenced by magistrates after admitting stealing cans of Hooch and a bottle of wine from the B&M store, Haverfordwest.

Rhys Wheeler was seen stealing three cans of Hooch and a bottle of wine from the store on December 4. As a result, he was arrested by police officers and placed inside a police van.

“He started shouting and swearing and was put in the back of the van, in a cage,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“En-route, officers stopped to make a phone call to the defendant’s mother and this was when he kicked out and spat towards one of the officers, causing saliva to land on the perspex of the cage. He later said he had HIV.”

Wheeler, who is currently on no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to the theft of the drinks, valued at £8.70, and of causing criminal damage to the police cage.

He was represented in court by solicitor, Tom Lloyd.

“He’d lost his job at a sushi bar and things have been difficult for him since then,” he said.

“He wasn’t in quite the right frame of mind and didn’t know what he was doing.

“There are no excuses for what he’s done and if you sit down with him today, he would tell you how genuinely sorry he is for what he’s done.”

Wheeler was ordered to pay £100 compensation to Dyfed-Powys Police for the damage caused to the police van and £8.70 compensation to B&M, Haverfordwest. He was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £32 surcharge. “

Crime

Father-of-two sentenced for destroying car

Published

2 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Sarah Jane Absalom

A MAN has been sentenced for trashing a car that had been left in a car park in Fishguard town centre.

Father-of-two Daniel Mitchell walked up to the car, which was owned by Mr Lloyd Bowen, during the night of September 13, 2024 and:-

SMASHED each of the passenger side windows;

SMASHED the boot window;

SMASHED each of the rear lights and

SCRATCHED the paintwork on the car bonnet and the driver’s door.

“The car was completely destroyed,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“It was surrounded by broken glass and it looked as if the damage had been caused by a weapon.”

The court was told that Mr Bowen had parked the car close to his father’s property in Harbour Village, Fishguard, at around 9.30pm, but when he returned to it just before 7.30am the following morning, he discovered it had been extensively damaged.

Mitchell, 29, of Dunster Close, Rugby, pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to the vehicle.

He was fined £600 and was ordered to pay £500 compensation to Mr Lloyd Bowen, a £240 court surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Newport man charged with supplying drugs

Published

2 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Sarah Jane Absalom

A NEWPORT man accused of supplying cocaine, amphetamines, and cannabis has appeared before magistrates.

Luke Jones, 33, was arrested in Haverfordwest on June 3, 2024, with significant quantities of drugs, including 14.37 grams of cocaine and 135 grams of amphetamines. Additional charges include offering to supply ketamine and possession of MDMA.

Jones entered no pleas, and the case has been referred to Swansea Crown Court for a hearing on February 14. He was released on unconditional bail.