The man authorities say left an explosive device left at Asheville Regional Airport last Friday morning was preparing to "fight a war on U.S. Soil."
An airport maintenance worker saw a man come out of a wooded area across the street. Investigators checked the area and found a bag with Gorilla Tape . . . same tape used in the device, as well as Sterno Firestar Gel and a bunch of other junk.
"Investigators went to the Walmart store on Airport Road and learned a person had bought Gorilla tape, Sterno Firestarter Gel, a glass Mason type jar,matches, cold compress packs, and an alarm clock on Oct. 3. At the Lowe's store off Airport Road, investigators learned a person had bought Kobalt gloves that were "very similar to those observed in the tool bag found in the wooded area."
That backpack bag found in the woods had been bought at REI in Biltmore Park . . . and the buyer used a membership number assigned to Michael C. Estes.
Yes . . . really. He admitted that the bought the backpack at REI . . . and used his MEMBERSHIP CARD!
That's how officers tracked down and arrested Estes on Saturday and charged him with attempted malicious use of explosive materials and unlawful possession of explosive materials in an airport. (WLOS)