Deputies arrest man in connection with explosion at Providence house

Jail booking photo for Jeffrey Toombs (Courtesy: Cache County Jail).

LOGAN — Deputies have arrested a 21-year-old Providence man, believed to be involved in the explosion Tuesday night that resulted in the evacuation of several nearby homes. Jeffrey R. Toombs was booked into the Cache County Jail Wednesday night.

Deputies were made aware of the explosion after Toombs drove a friend to the hospital. The man in his mid-20’s, whose identity has not been released yet, had shrapnel wounds to his stomach, hands and face.

FBI agents and Cache County Sheriff deputies outside a Providence home near 450 East 125 North, where an explosion Tuesday night sent a man to the hospital with shrapnel wounds.

When investigators arrived at Toombs’ home, near 435 East 125 North, they determined that the two men had allegedly been mixing some explosive compounds just before the blast. They also located more explosives that had not detonated, prompting the temporary evacuation and shelter in place of neighboring homes.

Toombs was arraigned in 1st District Court Thursday afternoon, appearing by video from jail. He was charged by the Cache County Attorney’s Office with two counts of recklessness involving an incendiary device, a second-degree felony, and reckless endangerment, a class A misdemeanor.

Cache County Deputy Attorney Barbara Lachmar asked the court to hold Toombs temporally without bail. She explained that federal authorities were still investigating the case and believed that more explosive compounds are being stored in other locations.

Judge Thomas Willmore agreed with Lachmar’s motion. He ordered Toombs to remain in jail out of safety for the community. He also scheduled him to appear again in court April 15.

Toombs told the court he has no criminal history. He said he has tried to cooperate with investigators.

Earlier, Cache County Sheriff’s Lt. Doyle Peck explained that the charges filed against Toombs are state charges and federal charges are still pending. He said deputies turned their investigation over to the FBI when they learned that the victim had an explosive license from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Thursday morning, Sandra Baker, public information officer with the FBI, said in a statement, “We want to assure the community that there is no wider threat to public safety at this time.” Due to the ongoing investigation, she would not release any further details about the explosive material found in the home.

Cache County Sheriff Chad Jensen said deputies closed 125 North at 400 East and Bluff Street between Spring Creek Parkway and 280 North. The closure is expected to last through Thursday.

Jensen also explained that, as an additional precaution, The Center for Creativity, Innovation and Discovery Charter School was closed Thursday as the investigation continues.


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