A bank, a Nike store and a supermarket were damaged by explosive devices Sunday morning in northeast Washington, DC, and the search for the suspects continues, police said.
The first explosive device was detonated by someone on the sidewalk in front of the Truist Bank ATM in the 2300 block of Washington Place NE around 4:30 a.m., according to a statement from the Metropolitan Police Department.
About six minutes later, another explosive device was detected on the sidewalk outside the doors of the Nike store in the 700 block of H Street NE, authorities added.
Then, at 4:45 a.m., a “Molotov cocktail-style object” was thrown at the Safeway in the 300 block of 40th Street NE.
Police believe the suspect was targeting businesses. They drove away from each scene in a gold or champagne colored Acura TL with Maryland license plate 17971CK. A surveillance image shows someone as a suspect.
All three properties were closed at the time of the explosions and sustained damage. No injuries were reported.
Glass windows and the ATM door were shattered in the explosion. The bank was closed on Sunday and its windows were boarded up.
A man who lives in apartments above the ATM said the explosion woke him up.
“It rocked my living room. It knocked all my security cameras off the wall. It knocked my pictures off the wall. It practically made me uneasy,” the resident said, noting that it especially disturbed him while dealing with PTSD.
The Nike store was also closed on Sunday.
“It’s scary, right? I don’t know what it is, if it’s fireworks or something like that, but it’s definitely worrying,” said customer Nour Hasan.
“I am very shocked by the incidents. I find it disturbing,” said ANC 6C commissioner Patricia Eguino.
The DC law enforcement agency and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Washington Field Division are offering a combined reward of $20,000 for any information leading to an arrest. They can be reached by calling 202-727-9099 or by texting 50411.
