A West Valley City man accused of having pipe bombs in his vehicle, is behind bars.
Bail was set Wednesday to $200,000, cash only, after investigators found pipe bombs and other items in backpack belonging to Michael Owens.
Police found the explosive and other materials, after a repossession company towed a vehicle belonging to Owens.
On July 17, Owens' car was being repossessed and he asked the tow truck driver if he could retrieve some personal items from that vehicle. But the driver left after Owens allegedly became combative.
Back at the impound lot, the explosives were located in the backpack, along with other items that alarmed investigators.
"They discovered two pipe bombs in there, as well as a vest and some 40-caliber ammunition," said Sim Gill, Salt Lake County district attorney. "Of course that gave them concern because these were pipe bombs that could have exploded. Subsequently the defendant was contacted and admitted to, that they were his and they probably would have his fingerprints on them."
Michael Owens has been formally charged with two counts of possession and removal of an explosive device.
The investigation continues as the suspects motive for building the bombs is unclear, as well as their indented use.
