Police in Bedford are investigating whether a man accused of possessing a homemade bomb and other explosives had any plan to use them -- or just liked setting them off.
Neighbors say they've heard loud bangs coming from the man's backyard for months.
Chad Wayne Russell, 30, was arrested Tuesday night after a police tactical team and a bomb squad raided his house in the 800 block of Dora Street.
"I know, it was like a scene out of a movie, recalled the woman who lives next door. "My neighbor said, 'Get back in the house, Velma!' And I did immediately."
She asked that her last name not be used.
Another neighbor, Wesley Blair, said he watched from across the street.
"At first, I thought it was a drug raid," he said.
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Police found black powder, canisters, containers, and a crude, homemade bomb during a search of the house, Lt. Kirk Roberts said.
Investigators spent Wednesday trying to find out what he planned to do with the explosives, police said.
"We really don't know," Roberts said. "He's not talking."
Neighbors said the most recent explosion to rock the area came the night of June 24. One man said it was loud enough to awaken his entire family.
"It was a pretty loud boom whenever they went off," Blair said.
Russell was held in the Bedford jail on $30,000 bond. He faces two counts of possessing a prohibited weapon and one count of possessing components of explosives. The charges are third-degree felonies.
Alan Brown, who answered the door at Russell's house and described himself as a roommate, described Russell as "a good guy" and doubted he had any sinister plan.
"He's not from al-Qaida, you know," Brown said. "I think it's way overblown, and for them to charge him with three felonies is ridiculous."
Neighbors hope Russell's arrest will put an end to the loud explosions on their street.
"I just hope it all gets settled, and we don't have any more problems out here," Blair said.
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