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Pipe Bomb Suspect Save Email Print
Posted: 9:25 PM Oct 22, 2008
Last Updated: 5:41 AM Oct 23, 2008
Reporter: Brian Mastre

A | A | A

An Omaha man is facing charges of possessing what's described as a pipe bomb. Investigators are looking for his brother, Jonathan, too.

On Tuesday, 27-year old Matthew Rufle was been booked into the Douglas County Jail. He's accused of having a pipe bomb and the materials to make more from a home he shared with his brother on 57th & Potter Street.

Omaha Housing Inspectors placed a danger sign on the window explaining that the home is unfit for people or animals.

Omaha Police initially received a 911 call from Jonathan Rufle's girlfriend saying she was assaulted by him. She lived there too and gave investigators permission to search the home.

When investigators entered on Tuesday -- officers, in plain view, say they saw drug paraphernalia, along with explosive materials and destructive devices. "It bothered me," says neighbor Chris Steele, "After all, if you have someone building pipe bombs next door to you, you want to know why and where is he going to use them."

Matthew Rufle, who has 52 criminal entries in the Omaha Police database, had a syringe and two knives in his pants pocket according to the OPD incident report. The Nebraska Humane Society removed a female dog from the home.

Just this summer, the Benson View Acres neighborhood got together and formed a neighborhood watch program as a way to keep neighbors involved and to watch out for each other - mostly due to this one home.

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Posted by: Me & ..... on Oct 23, 2008 at 09:48 PM
That girlfriend deserves at the very least a reward worthy of her courage, etc.. May God bless her with safety & security. She just may have saved someone from the dire straits of harm- otherwise known as a permanent injury. Permanent injuries can be very life threatening, as far as I am concerned. May God & neighbor, etc., keep Mr. Steele safe & sound too. Call someone Jonathan & see if the person will answer to it. You may just have your man! :-|

Posted by: Bill on Oct 23, 2008 at 11:14 AM
What a scumbag. I hope he gets caught soon. This is one creep that needs to be behind bars an not let out.

Posted by: K on Oct 23, 2008 at 09:25 AM
Sounds like an outstanding citizen. 52 criminal entries in the OPD database. Lock this scumbag up he doesnt deserve to have any rights in todays society.

Posted by: LS on Oct 23, 2008 at 08:43 AM
Now keep him off the streets

Posted by: barney on Oct 23, 2008 at 01:18 AM
that's all it takes. just one man to mess everyone up.

Posted by: Ryan on Oct 22, 2008 at 11:24 PM
52 "criminal entries" in the OPD database? What's he doing out and about?

Posted by: Simon on Oct 22, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Wow. Brilliant minds at work.

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