(The following appeared on The Examiner website on July 22, 2009.)
CHICAGO — A $7,500 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons who pipe bombed a Burlington Northern Sante Fe railroad switching shed near suburban Sugar Grove.
It happened in the early morning hours of May 12, 2009. The pipe bomb was dropped into the shed through a an air vent on the roof.
The FBI says the explosion severely damaged switching controls and caused a major disruption of rail traffic to the BNSF’s Aurora line.
The Chicago FBI, BNSF Railroad Police and the Kane County Sheriff’s Office are all involved in the investigation. Under the Federal Train Wreck Statute, a person faces up to 20 years in prison for intentionally destroying railroad infrastructure.
BNSF is coming up with the cash for the reward. Anyone with information is asked to call the BNSF tip line at (800) 832-5452. You can also call the FBI at (312 ) 421-6700.