LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Lake County deputies said they found live bombs and 50 pounds of ammonium nitrate in a home after the suspect’s roommate tipped deputies off because she was scared for her own life.
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The suspect, 55-year-old Markus Fricke, remains locked up on no bond after investigators determined he had several explosive devices, some of which could be set off with a tripwire.
The ATF and the sheriff’s office are both working to learn more about the suspect and what he was up to.
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Neighbors reported seeing and hearing more explosions in the yard with growing intensity in recent weeks.
Investigators said Fricke is from Germany and had Nazi memorabilia and anti-Semitic literature. But at this point it’s unknown why he was doing what he was doing or if he had any intended targets.
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The sheriff’s office said Fricke had a history of mental health evaluations. A few years ago, he called them to report he’d been shooting into his attic because he thought people were living up there.
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